A movie about a love story between a Chinese man and a Kazakh woman will be premiered in the coming months. Diplomats and film professionals from BRI partner countries, among many others, gathered to see a preview and have a discussion. CGTN's Cao Chufeng was also there to take a sneak peek. 

　　A viewing of and a seminar on "Chang'an, Xi'an" was held in Beijing on Friday. The film is yet to be released for the public, but the main production team, Chinese officials, film professionals and foreign diplomats gathered to have a discussion on the film.

　　The movie is a co-production between China and a few other countries like Iran and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's counselor in Beijing was also one of the guests who attended the seminar. He shared his thoughts on China-Kazakhstan relationship, and how the movie relates to it.

　　ABU-TALIP, Counselor, Embassy of Kazakhstan in China "The film we watched today is about the friendship between the people of our two countries. In reality, through the ancient Silk Road, China and Central Asian countries had close exchanges since ancient times. In modern times, projects such as the cultural centers established by China and Kazakhstan demonstrate the strong friendship between the two nations."

　　On the surface, this film tells the love story of a Chinese man and a Kazakh woman. But it also has deeper connotations – attempting to showcase the unique cultures and exchanges among the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries.

　　ZHANG ZHONG, Director, "Chang'an, Xi'an" "We wanted to tell our stories through people. So, we focused on one individual to convey the grand context of the Belt and Road Initiative and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. This is one of the key features of the movie."

　　The main actress, Alima, is of Kazakh ethnic minority in China – having a deep connect with the main ethic group in Kazakhstan. But she says she still had to do a lot of work to act her part as an International student from the country.

　　ALIMA, Main Actress, "Chang'an, Xi'an" "I have always lived in China, but I once traveled to Kazakhstan. During that trip, I realized that although we might have belonged to one ethnic group in ancient times, there are still quite a few differences in our living habits and languages. For the movie, I had to learn the Kazakh pronunciation of many words."

　　CAO CHUFENG Beijing "Trade and communication among China, Iran and central Asian countries started since the ancient times. And now, through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative, these countries aim to further deepen communication, including sharing creativity and culture through films. Cao Chufeng, CGTN, Beijing."