Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Maggie Barry, minister for Culture and Heritage of New Zealand at the opening ceremony of the 2016 New Zealand China Film Week, Wellington, New Zealand, May 24, 2016. [Photo/Culturalink.gov.cn]

The 2016 New Zealand China Film Week launched in Wellington, New Zealand, on May 24. Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese delegations, and Maggie Barry, minister for Culture and Heritage of New Zealand together with some 300 officials and guests from China and New Zealand attended the event.

Crew members of Chinese film The Mermaid: Stephen Chow, Lin Yun and Deng Chao were also present.

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Lutong noted the current relationship between the two countries is in its golden years.

“The cooperation on film making will help promote mutual cultural exchanges to a higher degree,” said Wang.

The ceremony featured the video Glamorous New Zealand, co-produced by China and New Zealand, and the trailer of six Chinese movies that will air during the film week.