This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Chinese motion pictures. In 1905, China's first homemade silent movie was born in a Beijing photo studio. As 2005 draws to a close, so does a year of activities marking the big anniversary. 

 

With China's movie industry celebrating its centennial, this year's film gala aims to see Chinese film off toward a brighter future.

 

Held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, over 700 governmental officials and artists from the Chinese film industry attended the giant gala Wednesday in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Chinese Film in Beijing.

 

The first domestically produced movie appeared in China in 1905. Since then, great changes have taken place in the country's film industry, which has maintained a robust momentum in both domestic and international film circles.

 

Chinese president, Hu Jintao, delivered a speech during the commemoration, saying that Chinese movies have gained profound achievements in the past years. He believed there is even a brighter future for Chinese movies in the new era.

 

"We are in a great era and it is calling for new masterpieces of motion pictures. In retrospect, I am proud of our achievements. I am so confident that there will be a brighter future for our movie industry."

 

He said he hoped that the Chinese filmmakers will grasp the new potential opportunities in the new century so as to produce more outstanding movies which truly reflect the life of the people.

 

Also attending the commemoration, Li Changchun, member the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Political Bureau, said the country should make full use of every chance to improve the competitiveness of Chinese movies in both the domestic and international film market.

 

 

(CRI December 29, 2005)