DARWIN, Australia — Watching the latest movies is a good way for Australian audiences to know more about both the history of, and daily life in, China.

The 2023 Chinese Film Festival was held in Darwin, the capital city of Australia's Northern Territory, last weekend.

Jointly hosted by the Australia China Friendship Society's provincial branch and the Chinese embassy in Australia, the festival presented three Chinese films, namely Hidden Blade, a newly arrived wartime espionage thriller, New Gods: Yang Jian, a 3D animated fantasy action film, and My Country, My Parents.

Hilary Winchester, vice-president of governance at Charles Darwin University, said at the film festival's opening ceremony on March 30 that she has watched some Chinese movies with English subtitles, noting, "I think movies are a great way to bring people from all walks of life and cultures together.

"A movie is a great way to begin to understand history, a landscape, and the way that people live their lives."

James Ashbridge, president of Australia China Business Council's Northern Territory branch, said that he lived in Beijing and Shanghai for about 10 years and loved watching Chinese movies, adding that he feels their quality has improved a lot in recent years.

"I can also practice my listening and speaking of Chinese when watching such movies," he said in Chinese.

Ashbridge noted that the Northern Territory, the closest part of Australia to China, has great potential to cooperate with Chinese partners in trade, tourism and education.

Peter Dummett is the chief executive officer at Darwin Port, operated by Darwin Port Operations Pty Ltd, which is a branch of the Landbridge Group, a private company headquartered in China's Shandong province.

Dummett said he came to watch Hidden Blade, the first time he has watched a Chinese movie, after a recommendation from his Chinese colleague.

"I think cultural exchange is very important for inter-country relationships. It certainly helps people from both countries understand each other better. The event tonight will assist in that," he said.

Song Yanqun, minister-counselor for culture at the Chinese embassy in Australia, said it was the first time it had hosted a film festival in the Northern Territory.

"It is a little bit far away from some big cities, but we should also introduce Chinese culture here," he said.

"Hopefully, the film festival can help more Australian people have a better understanding of the history, culture and also the daily life of Chinese people, thereby promoting exchanges and friendship between them," the Chinese diplomat said.