July 30th, 2014

Anji county in East China's Zhejiang province announced its cooperation on Monday with the renowned French film venue Cannes to establish a film city in China.

The program, expected to cost $1 billion, aims at introducing the Cannes Film Festival mode to China. Initiated by the city of Cannes, the China Film Exchanges and Cooperation Association and the Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, it is intended to establish a French-style zone that can provide film, cultural and tourism services to Chinese citizens.

The program will start with regular Sino-French film exchanges. At the same time, the three partners will construct a film city in Anji.

Xiao Wunan, executive vice-chairman of APECF, said the goal of the program is to establish a world-class international film festival in Anji.

"This film festival should also maintain strong Chinese features. We hope this program can push China's film industry to a higher level," he said.

Xiao said he hopes the cooperation between Anji and Cannes can be a milestone for China's film industry.

Deputy Director-General of UNESCO Mr. Hans d'Orville (third from right) attends the signing ceremony and reception for China (Anji) Cannes Film City on July 20. Mr. d'Orville poses for a group photo with Anji County's Communist Party Secretary Mr. Shan Jinyan (fourth from right), APECF Executive Vice Chairman Mr. Xiao Wunan (third from left), Director of China Cultural Center in Paris Mr. Yin Fu (second from right), among others.

( Photo courtesy of People's Daily Online)