The China-Russia co-produced film “Red Silk” premiered in Beijing on September 4 as part of the 2025 Russian Film Festival held in the country. The movie tells the story of Chinese and Russian comrades fighting side by side on secret fronts, safeguarding justice.
Senior officials and guests attended the premiere, including Shen Haixiong, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and president of China Media Group (CMG); Mao Yu, executive deputy director general of the China Film Administration; Alina Kabaeva, chair of the board of directors of Russia’s National Media Group; and Igor Morgulov, Russian ambassador to China.
Officials attending the premiere of “Red Silk” in Beijing, September 4, 2025. /CMG
Over the past 76 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, cultural exchanges between China and Russia have continuously deepened. As a unique medium that transcends language barriers, film has become a vital bridge for fostering mutual understanding and preserving shared historical memories.
Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group Corporation, gives a speech, September 4, 2025. /CMG
Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group Corporation, said in his speech that “Red Silk” stands as a testament to the deepening cultural exchanges and friendship between China and Russia. He expressed hope to continue working closely with Russian counterparts, using film as a medium to inject new vitality into cultural exchange between the two nations.
Svetlana Balanova, CEO of Russia’s National Media Group, gives a speech, September 4, 2025. /CMG
Svetlana Balanova, CEO of Russia’s National Media Group, expressed gratitude to the Chinese side in her remarks. She noted that the “Red Silk” project will serve as a model for cultural exchange between the two civilizations, laying a solid foundation for deeper cultural integration between the two countries.
The film has already achieved both critical and commercial success in Russia, hailed as “paving a Silk Road for China-Russia film cooperation.” Its release in China not only offers audiences a glimpse into Russian cultural charm but also strengthens people-to-people bonds between the two countries.
This year has witnessed fruitful achievements in film exchanges between China and Russia. The 2025 Russian Film Festival kicked off simultaneously in Beijing, Xining and Lanzhou on September 1 and will run until September 12. Earlier in May, the 2025 Chinese Film Festival was successfully held in Moscow, Kazan and St. Petersburg.
The release of “Red Silk” in Chinese theaters marks the latest outcome of close collaboration between filmmakers from the two countries. Industry insiders from both sides noted that they will seize this opportunity to deepen creative exchanges and expand industry cooperation, bringing more co-productions with strong ideological, artistic and cinematic value. Such efforts will enrich cultural exchanges and inject fresh momentum into the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
