The 2025 China Women’s Film Festival opened on Friday at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, celebrating the power of women in film and reinforcing China and Nigeria’s shared commitment to gender equality, cultural diplomacy, and creative collaboration.
The four-day festival — jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Centre — features four critically acclaimed, women-themed Chinese films: The Dumpling Queen, The Beautiful Life, Song of Spring, and Her Story. Each film highlights the strength, creativity, and resilience of women shaping society through their stories.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Zhou Hongyou, representing the Chinese Embassy, described women as “an indispensable force in the development of human society,” reaffirming China’s dedication to advancing women’s welfare and leadership both domestically and globally.
“Women are not only the foundation of families and societies but also a vital force driving social development and progress,” Zhou said. “The Chinese government has always attached great importance to improving women’s social status and creating equal opportunities in education and employment.”
Citing data from China’s latest government white paper, Zhou highlighted major milestones in women’s development:
“Today, 690 million women in China have achieved moderate prosperity. Women now account for 43 percent of the total employed population, and more than half of university students are female with an average expectancy life of 80.9 years.”
He added that China’s national development plans consistently integrate women’s advancement, noting that the country remains “a practitioner and advocate of gender equality” worldwide.
“China is willing to work with Nigeria and other countries to accelerate women’s comprehensive development and open a new chapter in women’s empowerment globally,” he affirmed.
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Barr. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Gabriel Zock, commended the initiative at the opening ceremony.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by her Special Assistant on Creative Economy, Rukkayah Mohammed, described the festival as “a distinguished platform celebrating creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling to connect nations and inspire change.”
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre for this thoughtful initiative, which continues to strengthen the deep-rooted ties of friendship, cultural exchange, and mutual respect between our two nations,” she said.
The Minister noted that the festival’s timing was symbolic, coinciding with renewed global reflection on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark framework that has shaped three decades of advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment.
“In a few days, the international community will once again revisit and re-energize the spirit of Beijing, reaffirming our shared responsibility to ensure that women and girls everywhere live freely, fulfilled, and empowered,” she added.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim further stated that the moment aligns closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places people at the heart of national development.
She explained that through the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programme, the Ministry is advancing initiatives to promote women’s economic empowerment, strengthen family systems, enhance child protection, and improve the welfare of vulnerable groups.
“China’s success in leveraging culture, technology, and social innovation for advancement offers valuable lessons for Nigeria. Our partnership can foster capacity building, creative industry exchange, and women-led entrepreneurship — especially in areas such as digital storytelling, film, and cultural diplomacy,” she said.
“Through the power of film the China Women’s Film Festival presents authentic story of women — stories that mirror resilience, leadership, and the universal quest for equity.”
As the ceremony concluded, participants expressed optimism that the festival would not only showcase women’s artistic achievements but also inspire deeper creative collaborations between Nigeria and China in the years ahead.