During her official visit to the United Kingdom, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said that China and the U.K. will form a deeper cooperation in the field of radio, film and television, as a means to enhance the mutual friendship between the two peoples.
Liu's remarks were made while attending an opening ceremony in London that launched the broadcast of a series of Chinese programs in the U.K.
Liu stressed the role of radio, film and television for the development of mass culture as important carriers of each other's ways of life. She talked about how Chinese people of her generation have been influenced by many classic U.K. films.
"Some old films including 'Twelfth Night,' as well as 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' 'The Prince and the Pauper,' 'Wuthering Heights,' 'Pride and Prejudice,' I could give a list of examples," said the Chinese premier.
"After those, there are famous works such as the James Bond film series, 'Mr. Bean,' and also the recent 'Sherlock,' 'Shaun the Sheep,' 'Paddington Bear,' 'Downtown Abbey' as well as 'Octonauts.' Those films are household names in China now," she added.
Minister for Culture Communications and Sport in the U.K. Ed Vaizey also talked about the importance of the agreement to his country and China.
"Our ability to raise finance, a light regulation environment, good education and skills, protection of intellectual property rights, and the tax incentives. All of these combined enable creative people and businesses to thrive in the U.K.," the minister said.
Several Chinese films, including "Dearest" and "The Great Hypnotist," are set to broadcast on Propeller TV in the U.K.