Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is both an honor and a profound joy to stand before you today as we inaugurate the first ever Chinese Film Festival in SI in the esteemed USP. This event is a special opportunity to showcase some of China's most outstanding films. In recent years, China's film industry has been steadily developing. This past February the Chinese animated movie Ne Zha II has surpassed 14.3 billion RMB at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing animated film worldwide. We gather today not only to celebrate cinematic art but also to dive into the richness of Chinese culture, philosophy and storytelling which transcends borders and connects hearts. I am thrilled that we will begin this journey together with the film The Wandering Earth II.

Before we start this remarkable film, let me take a few moments to reflect on the themes and values that underpin this story we are about to share. China, a civilization spanning over 5,000 years, has always been defined by values that deeply resonate with humanity's shared aspirations, such as the celebration of life, the love for peace, the virtue of diligence, the spirit of innovation, and the cherishing of unity. These values are woven into Chinese cultural heritage, flowing in our veins, shaping our identity, and still guiding us for constant progress in this age of satellites and algorithms.

The film we are going to watch today, The Wandering Earth II, is a sci-fi movie and a prequel to the breathtaking sci-fi spectacle The Wandering Earth I. The film takes us on an epic journey sets in the very near future, where humanity faces an existential crisis from the dying and rapidly expanding sun which threatens to engulf the Earth. To survive, humanity unites to launch an ambitious plan: installing 10,000 planetary engines to propel the Earth from the solar system on a 25-century exodus to a new star system. This mission impossible is called the“Wandering Earth Project".

The film is quite an entertaining sci-fi adventure. You will be able to see some technological marvels such as the colossal planetary engine, the fascinating space elevator, the moon station, the smart quantum computer as well as the evolving generative AI. Just as the Al in the film showcases transformative potential that shape humanity's future, we're witnessing real-world breakthrough that are redefining our present. Among these advancements, DeepSeek stands out as a pioneering force in China's AI landscape. This homegrown innovation has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential AI systems globally, exhibiting exceptional proficiency in complex reasoning, creative problem-solving, and cross-domain adaptability. At the same time, the film is also a mirror reflecting ancient Chinese values and wisdom. In the film, human beings are always at the center despite all the technological breakthroughs we would have achieved. All the human diligence and ingenuity are utilized to overcome severe challenges like a fractured moon and a rogue AI. Sometimes weapons of destruction could be mobilized in a way that contributes to human survival. And sometimes personal sacrifices are unavoidable for the collective human cause.More importantly, the films asks the question: When faced with darkness, do we succumb to division and squabble, or do we choose to unite and light a collective torch for our future generations ?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ancient Chinese wisdom tells us that humanity is a whole, and the Earth is our one and only home. In the face of common challenges, no one and no nation would be able to stand alone. The only way out is to work together and live in peace and harmony. That is why Chinese President Xi Jinping advocates for building a community of shared future for humankind and proposed the B&R Initiative, the GDI, GSI and GCI.

China adopts an independent foreign policy of peace and adheres to the 5 principles of peaceful co-existence in international relations. China will continue to be a firm force for peace in a world of turbulence and conflicts, a firm force for unity in the face of division and confrontation, a firm force for openness in the face of decoupling and severing supply chains, a firm force for justice in the face of the countercurrents of unilateralism and bullying, a firm force for inclusiveness in the face of ideological differences.China will work with partners, especially the Global South, including SI, to promote the just cause for a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable and harmonious world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Wandering Earth II is not just a story, but an invitation. To see innovation not as a race, but as a relay across generations. To view diligence not as a burden, but as love made visible. And to always remember that in the vast dark universe, our greatest gravitational force is unity. Just like what is said in the film -“The fate of civilization depends on the choice human makes.”

May this Chinese Film Festival provoke thoughts, spark dialogues, deepen understanding and enhance friendship.

Thank you once again and enjoy the film.