UK-China collaboration

The journey and the film would not have been possible without a team from both China and the United Kingdom and support from the Chinese embassy and local authorities, which the Johnsons thanked and praised at the premiere.

"Macro Polo became the great bridge-builder between the East and the West, and he is still very much appreciated in China. To me, I hope this film will also help in a symbolic bridge-building," said Stanley, adding that he was so impressed to see that there was a statue of Marco Polo in the center of the city of Zhangye.

Dale Templar, the documentary's director, said: "We worked for seven weeks straight, the journey was filmed as a continuous journey. And I cannot underestimate just how hard the 30 or 40-strong team of English and Chinese crew worked."

The film was a joint production by One Tribe TV, a UK television and radio production company, and CCTV Documentary International Media Co, was distributed by Blue Ant International, and was supported by the education group English Path.

"I'm gonna give a quick shout-out to everyone in the UK and China," said Templar.

"They are producers, directors, researchers, translators, production management teams, cameras and locations, sound, post-production, including editing, coloring, dubbing, graphic design, script writing, and so many more.

"I believe this film is a celebration of cultural diversity and most importantly, it shows we all share a basic humanity as individuals. We are, after all, just human, sharing the same hopes, fears and dreams."

Sherard Cowper-Coles, chair of the China-Britain Business Council, said after watching the premiere: "Stanley's film was just wonderful. (It is) a powerful evocation of Chinese civilization, ancient and modern, delivered with taste, humanity, humor, and brilliant cinematography."

Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, told the audience at the premiere: "This is a story about pursuing dreams … It's a story about China-UK collaboration … This is also a story about cultural exchanges and mutual learning.

"I hope all of you, and people in the UK, will be following the footsteps of Marco Polo and also the footsteps of Stanley Johnson. Travel to China, see the culture, and meet the people."

Contact the writer at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn.