The 2023 China Film Festival opened in Manila of the Philippines on Tuesday, giving audiences across the country a chance to enjoy a number of top Chinese productions over the coming three months.

Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the China Film Archive, the event will run till February 22 next year and see a series of special screenings in multiple cities.
Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, and Tirso Silvano Cruz III, chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, attended the opening event on Tuesday and delivered speeches.
Huang said the festival is an important measure to actively implement the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China and to promote exchanges and mutual learning between China and the Philippines. It is hoped that the event will help further deepen the cultural understanding and friendly bonds between the two peoples, Huang said.
Film fans say they are keen to check out a number of cultural creations which will be screened during the festival and say there is already a big appetite for Chinese-produced dramas.
"This may be a great opportunity to watch Chinese films and understand more [about] what is China and how we are related, especially in family and even culture and even our love and our passion," said Alexandre Avila, a film viewer.
"It's a good idea. Actually there is a large number of Filipinos who follow Chinese soap operas," said Anson Yu, another attendee.
The festival will allow Filipinos to watch many Chinese blockbusters and other types of films in cinemas in a number of cities across the country, experiencing the modern expression of Chinese culture.