A famous Chinese astronaut, a film star and a ping pong champion are among some of the stars to feature in a new promotional video designed to introduce modern China to foreign audiences.
Scheduled for screenings at foreign affairs functions the two-part video is set to be broadcast by international media before the coming National Day celebration in October.
The promotional video director, Gao Xiaolong, told Global Times that the first part of the video concentrates on 50 influential figures across various fields. The second part is a 15-minute segment introduces China’s sustainable development.
The video is almost complete and includes 50 influential figures including Yuan Longping, the ‘father of hybrid rice,’ Yang Liwei, the nation’s first astronaut, Xhang Ziyi, a renowned film star and Deng Yaping, a former world champion in table tennis.
Critics attacked the video ad campaign asking why ordinary citizens wouldn’t be selected for the video. Gao responded by saying that their choice of influential figures would make the video more impressive.
“These figures are all influential in their own fields. Their images will make a strong visual impression,” he said. “There might be filming of ordinary people in the future but as a first step, choosing influential people will be more meaningful and will resonate with foreigners.”
The second part of the video will feature 800 images which will illustrate sustainable development around the country, Zhu Youguang, the project manager said during an interview with China National Radio. (CNR)
One picture shows a fish hawk capturing fish with a voiceover announcer quoting an ancient saying by Mencius, “Don’t dry rivers for fish and don’t burn forests for prey,” to represent the tradition of environmental protection.
A 30 second video titled ‘Made In China’ was shown on CNN last year which many critics described as an attempt by China to show its soft power.
CNR quoted Li Xiangyang, president of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as saying that “it is time for China to construct a positive image.”
One of the figures in the promotional video, Deng, believes that the video will help improve China’s image overseas.
“It is necessary and beneficial for China to strengthen its publicity,” Deng told the Global Times. “It would be wise to adopt the ways foreign countries promote themselves in order to publicize the changes China has gone through.”
