WINDHOEK, June 14 -- The Chinese Film Festival has opened in Namibia's capital Windhoek and will feature classic Chinese movies on romance, history and war drama.

Chinese ambassador to Namibia Xin Shunkang said, "this event is a chance for Namibian friends to understand Chinese culture, history and society, and could hopefully enlighten us in future cultural exchange and cooperation."

Ambassador Xin said similar functions will be held that undoubtedly contribute "to our cultural and people-to-people exchanges, to create better atmosphere for your cooperation in many other fields.

Movies also amply between the good and the bad and have the potential to build bridges across nations and strengthen multilateral cultural relations between the Chinese and their African friends, he said.

"Films are vivid depiction of our life and time. Chinese film industry develops quickly these years and some Chinese films appear in the awarding list of international film festivals," stated Xin.

"The films you enjoy this time are renowned for originality, by providing unique perspectives to modern China," he said on Friday night at the opening of the film festival in Windhoek.

Xin also said through cultural exchanges both Namibian people and Chinese could learn something from the distant past.

Movies according to Xin are reflection of societal justice and people can also differentiate between good and evil.

The Chinese Film Festival being held at a movie theatre in Windhoek will feature "Finding Mr Right," a romantic movie director by renowned Chinese director Xue Xiaolu. Other movies to be enjoyed by Namibian movie fans includes "Chinese Zodiac," an action/comedy featuring renowned Chinese actor and director Jackie Chan.

Apart from the current Chinese film festival, the Chinese Embassy in Windhoek has sponsored various Chinese cultural groups to perform in Namibia and cultural groups from Namibia to perform in China.

The Chinese film festival that started on Friday ends next week on Wednesday and is expected to draw thousands of fans particularly of action-packed Kungfu movies.