Brussels event features program of movies to showcase culture from member nations

While the leaders of BRICS countries pledged increased cooperation at the summit in Xiamen, Fujian province, their embassies in Belgium echoed the commitment by launching a film festival on Sept 4 in Brussels.

The festival, hosted by the Chinese embassy in Belgium, was scheduled for Sept 4 to 9. There was also due to be a conference on Sept 8 with the theme of the global role of BRICS, whose members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Qu Xing joined Brazilian Ambassador Antonio Jose Vallim Guerreiro, Russian Ambassador Alexander Tokovinin, Charge d'Affaires at the Indian embassy in Belgium Rakesh Arora, and South African Ambassador Baso Sangqu at the launch ceremony.

From Sept 5 to Sept 9, two films from each BRICS country were screened at the China Culture Centre in Brussels. On Sept 8, the Chinese films Born in China, directed by Lu Chuan, and Let's Get Married, directed by Liu Jiang, were shown.

"The first film is talking about China's wild animals, nature and scenery, and the other is about Chinese young people's lives," Ambassador Qu said at the launch ceremony.

Qu said the festival has won support from all the embassies of BRICS countries in Belgium. Other ambassadors and representatives from BRICS countries also introduced their films at the ceremony.

At the same time, the three-day BRICS Summit and the sideline events, held from Sept 3 to 5, which have involved businesses and leaders of developing countries, also have attracted the attention of European politicians.

They urged the BRICS nations to enhance their cooperation with the European Union.

"We hope to see BRICS countries contributing more proactively for the creation of a multipolar world," says Jo Leinen, chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with China.

"The world needs BRICS to defend open and fair international trade against rising protectionism," Leinen says. Leinen adds that the BRICS nations and the EU should work together to enhance global governance.

"Climate protection, enforcement of the Paris Agreement and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are all common ground for EU-BRICS cooperation," says Leinen.

[email protected]