This Chinese film festival held by Chinese embassy in conjunction with the Uganda National Theatre, is one of the serialprograms to mark the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Basoga Nsadhu, minister of state for information, said in the opening ceremony that China and Uganda has a good friendship sincethe diplomatic relations founded 40 years ago. Mutual culture exchanges between the two countries played an important role in promoting their relationship. He hoped to see one day China may help Uganda make their own movies.

"China and Uganda have been supporting and helping each other in their national construction and the international affairs," said Chinese ambassador Li Qiangmin in the opening ceremony, adding that "the bilateral cooperation in the field of culture exchange has been developing with leaps and bounds over the years."

Over 200 audience including Uganda officials, foreign diplomats,local Chinese and the media attended the opening ceremony and watched the first movie of this festival "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" directed by Ang Lee.

The other four selected to be shown in the festival include "GuaSha--the treatment ", "Breaking the Silence", "Sigh" and "Love Story". These movies were all produced in recent years and welcomed by many Chinese at home and abroad.

(eastday.com Oct 8, 2002)