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SUVA -- China on Wednesday launched its first- ever film week in Fiji, the 2013 Chinese Film Festival, bringing to the South Pacific island country five Chinese movies in a bid to help Fijians better understand the friendly Asian country.

The film week, which ends on Sunday, will showcase Ocean Heaven, The Grandmasters, Aftershock, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, and Love in the Buff.

"All of these quality films have been produced and released in recent years. With diversified genres and styles, highly artistic values and visual effects, these films will help Fiji audience know more about China's historical facts and cultural heritage, feelings and lives of Chinese people, and thus know more about China as a whole," said Luan Guozhi, deputy director-general of the Film Bureau of China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and TV.

The film week is jointly hosted by China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and TV; Chinese Embassy in Fiji; as well as Fiji's Ministry of Information, National Archives and Library Sevices.

"Every Fijian knows about Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee and like movie-goers the world over, every Fijian thrills to their exploits. But beyond that, few people in this country know very much at all about the rich history of Chinese cinema or about the increasingly important place of the Chinese film industry in global cinema," said Sharon Smith Johns, permanent secretary for Fiji's Ministry of Information, National Archives and Library Sevices.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to be exposed to a range of films that we would otherwise not have the opportunity to see. And of course, it is also a window on China itself -- a country with a great history and an even greater future as it assumes a leadership role in the world and plays a more important part in our own region," she added.

Meanwhile, China Central Television's (CCTV) Movie Channel signed an agreement with Fiji Television Limited on Wednesday, authorizing the latter to broadcast 12 Chinese movies a year.

"This will mark the new beginning of our exchanges in film. We wish that such exchange programs will inject new vitality in the important partnership, and forge a more cooperative relationship," said Luan.

Fiji established diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China on November 5, 1975, becoming the first South Pacific island country to do so.

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