Chongqing - On the mornings of October 21 and 24, local time, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development secured agreements with 11 Mexican television stations and the Colombian National Television Network for the "China Time" project.
Orchestrated under the auspices of the National Radio and Television Administration and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government, the initiative marks a pioneering moment in cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
The exhibition of Chongqing's intangible cultural heritage during the launching ceremony for the "China Hours" project. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development )
Preceding the ceremony, a slew of cultural activities were held, featuring an exhibition of Chongqing's intangible cultural heritage, tourism photo exhibits, Tai Chi displays, and a Chinese tea ceremony. On view were meticulous paper-cutting artworks, traditional embroidery, and lacquer screens.
Delegates from Chongqing counties such as Zhongxian, Fengjie, Wushan, and Wuxi warmly introduced these cultural gems to international visitors. The photo exhibit showcased the vibrant facets of Chongqing: urban landscapes, the majestic Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, world heritage sites, luxurious hot springs, and unique cultural performances. Tea masters demonstrated Chinese tea rituals and invited guests to taste Chongqing's Gan tea.
As part of the event, Chongqing Jiazuo Film and Culture Media Co., Ltd. and Classic Media China International Co., Ltd. entered into cooperation agreements with 11 Mexican television stations and the Colombian National Television Network for the "China Time" initiative.
The "China Time" venture, led by Chongqing Jiazuo Film and Culture Media Co., Ltd., forms a part of the broader "Chinese Television Theater" program in Mexico, Colombia, and Honduras. This larger initiative is a cultural exchange project steered by the National Radio and Television Administration, designed to broadcast high-quality Chinese audiovisual content at designated times on partnered networks and new media platforms.
The project aims to introduce nearly 500 million Latin American TV viewers to a diverse array of Chinese audiovisual offerings, including films, TV dramas, documentaries, and animated series. Featured programming will include top-tier Chinese science fiction TV series like "The Three-Body Problem," uplifting stories such as "Mountain and Sea Love," which focus on overcoming poverty and the pursuit of unity, and youth-oriented narratives like "Where the Wind Blows" and "Era of Entrepreneurship."
The successful debut of the "China Time" project in Mexico and Colombia heralds a significant step in executing the "Chinese Television Theater" strategy initiated by Chongqing, filling a longstanding gap in Latin American markets.
The milestone signifies China's transition into a new era of expansive and systematic audiovisual collaboration with Latin American countries. It serves as a vehicle for promoting Chinese culture abroad and fosters an environment conducive to reciprocal cultural appreciation and understanding between China and Latin America.