Xiamen's stage set for prosperous film, TV industry

Gulangyu Islet in Xiamen's Siming district.[Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

East China's Xiamen and Cannes in France have more in common than just luxurious seaside resorts and stunning ocean views, they are also both home to flourishing entertainment industries.

After being selected to host the China Golden Rooster Film Festival for the next 10 years, Xiamen in Fujian province has been developing a film and TV industry to rival that of its French counterpart.

The China Golden Rooster Film Festival has traditionally been held in a different city each time.

Zhang Hong, director of the China Film Association, said at a news conference in April that the association had been seeking a permanent host city for the festival.

Xiamen beat out several other prospective cities thanks to its economic strength, burgeoning film industry, and related favorable policies, according to city officials.

The coastal city, sometimes dubbed the "Garden on the Sea", is among the most popular tourist destinations in China.

Han Jingyi, deputy mayor of Xiamen, said that the city is confident about hosting the prestigious film event and expanding its global influence, adding that efforts will be made to develop Xiamen into a film production hub.

Siming, the central district in the city, is home to Gulangyu Islet, a UNESCO World Heritage site and must-see tourist site. The district has been dubbed a "natural studio" and is a perfect place for photography.

The district's unspoiled landscapes, rich culture, and long history attract more than 100 film crews from home and abroad each year, according to incomplete statistics.

On May 6, Siming was acknowledged as "the most beautiful movie set in China" at a promotional event during the 72nd Cannes Film Festival in France.

To date, five locations in the district, including Gulangyu Islet and Shapowei, have been designated as Xiamen Film and TV Shooting Locations.