Documentary sheds light on the new era

After the premiere of the documentary Amazing China on Feb 27, prolonged applause broke out in a Beijing auditorium. A retired civil servant said she had a flight to catch but kept watching the film until the end of the credits.

The 90-minute documentary, Amazing China, which is co-produced by China Central Television and China Film Corp, opened in theaters nationwide on Friday.

The film focuses on the major achievements the country has made since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012 under Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Speaking about the documentary, Wei Tie, the director, says: "The film arouses Chinese pride from deep inside."

The documentary focuses on key Chinese infrastructure projects in aerospace, high-speed rail, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the world's largest single-dish telescope FAST.

The documentary also informs viewers that seven of the world's 10 biggest sea ports are now in China. And that the country now has the longest high-speed rail network in the world.

In the film, Lin Ming, the chief engineer for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge project, says: "In the past, what kind of projects we took up was decided by what kind of facilities we had. But, nowadays, no matter what kind of projects we are assigned, we develop the technology to complete it."

His voice is calm but his words show the country's self-confidence.

Speaking of the significance of the new documentary for the Chinese, La Peikang, the head of China Film Corp, says: "It's not only about showing the achievements, but presenting the status quo of China.

"The film will help people to know our country better. The moving stories behind the Chinese miracles reflect the people's endeavors and spirit."

A good documentary is usually a vivid portrayal of individual stories rather than slogans, and Amazing China is no exception.

One of the most touching moments in the film is probably footage from an interview of Nan Rendong, often called the "father of FAST".