Movie magic ambassador

In 1986, Royere organized a trip for French- and Flemish-speaking television networks to buy Chinese films in China. They visited film studios in Beijing, Changchun, Xi'an and Shanghai. She also managed to help a Flemish TV station to buy a Chinese film Furongzhen (Hibiscus Town).

"It was quite interesting how that happened," Royere says. When she was at a hotel in Beijing, Royere bought an English translation of Furongzhen and had read part of the book before meeting Jiang Wen and Liu Xiaoqing, the stars of the film. By the time she met the director Xie Jin in Shanghai, Royere had finished the book.

And when the group finally saw the film, Royere could help them understand the film, ending up with the Flemish TV station buying it.

The visit led to Royere introducing Chinese films at festivals in Belgium, and taking Belgium films to China.

Over the years, Royere has spent most of her spare time and holidays working on Chinese films. "I benefited a lot as I have made so many friends in China," she says.

Dozens of Chinese actors and directors are now her close friends. "I know Jiang Wen very well and Siqin Gaowa is my 'sister'," Royere says.

Indeed, the time Siqin met her - and grabbed her arm - was at the Changchun Film Festival many years ago, which only a few foreigners attended.

Siqin even entrusted her son to Royere while he was studying in Belgium.

In 2008, Royere organized a film festival in Brussels where six Chinese film directors attended.

When she was operating the film club at the Belgium-China Association, about 20-60 people went to watch films every month. Many people wanted to borrow films to watch at home.

"But now I don't want to lend them as many have been damaged or stolen," says Royere. And many are irreplaceable, especially those on film and on videocassettes.

Royere says she is interested in films with social content. "I don't like films which are mainly entertainment," she says. "Gardening, cooking and reading are my other interests."

She is now planning another film festival, but it is proving difficult as the Belgium government says it is difficult to get financial support as she is promoting Chinese culture. And the European Union says its mission is to promote European culture.

This week, Royere is due to visit China again to attend a film festival, meet old friends and seek more support. But no matter what happens, her love for Chinese films is forever.

Last June, Royere was in China for the Shanghai Film Festival. "Of course, China has totally changed," she says.

But, she says, one thing about China hasn't changed: "Chinese people are still hard working and full of energy."