By Gabriel Ameh Abuja October 10, 2025
The 2025 China Women’s Film Festival opened on Friday at the China Cultural Centre, Abuja, spotlighting the power of women in film and reaffirming 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 celebrates the strength, creativity, and resilience of women shaping society through their stories.
China Reaffirms Global Leadership on Gender Equality
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Zhou Hongyou, representing the Chinese Embassy, described women as “an indispensable force in the development of human society,” stressing China’s dedication to promoting 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.”
Zhou cited key data from China’s latest government white paper highlighting 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 life expectancy of 80.9 years.”
He added that China’s development plans consistently integrate women’s advancement, noting that the country remains “a practitioner and advocate of gender equality” globally.
“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 worldwide,” he affirmed.
Nigeria Links Gender Empowerment to Renewed Hope Agenda
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Barr. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, commended the festival as a creative bridge between nations, saying it “celebrates storytelling as a tool for empowerment, resilience, and social transformation.”
“This festival comes at a time of renewed reflection on the Beijing Declaration, which has shaped decades of global advocacy for women’s rights,” she said. “Through President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is implementing social impact programmes that prioritise women’s economic empowerment, family systems, and child protection.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also underscored the potential for collaboration with China in creative industries and digital storytelling.
“Our partnership can strengthen women-led entrepreneurship and cultural diplomacy,” she said. “Together, we can amplify women’s voices and promote shared growth.”
Parliamentary Support for Creative Collaboration
Also speaking, Hon. Gabriel Saleh Zock, Chairman of the House Committee on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, described the China Women’s Film Festival as “a powerful platform for cultural diplomacy and creative partnership.”
“Cinema is one of the strongest tools for shaping perceptions, preserving heritage, and driving social change,” Zock said. “By celebrating women in film, China reinforces a global vision of gender equality and inclusive growth.”
He noted that Nigeria’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for the Creative Economy (2025–2030) aligns with such partnerships, focusing on empowering women and youth through art, technology, and international cooperation.
“When women tell their stories, societies evolve. When nations share their art, peace and prosperity follow,” he added.
Strengthening China–Africa Cultural Ties
The 2025 China Women’s Film Festival runs from October 10 to 13 and builds on the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The initiative aims to deepen people-to-people exchanges and cultural understanding between China and African nations.
As the opening ceremony concluded, participants expressed optimism that the festival would not only showcase the artistic achievements of women in film but also inspire new creative partnerships between Nigeria and China in the years ahead.
