Among the national gifts that president Xi Jinping gave to the Latin American countries, a set of DVDs with Chinese movies was a highlight.

The movies, including "Beijing Youth" and "To elderly with love" by renowned Chinese director Zhao Baogang, and “Love is not Blind” by Teng Huatao, tell stories about ordinary Chinese people and their pursuit of dreams, happy families, and love.

In spite of its long history, China’s cultural exchanges tended to be more traditional than modern, and more political than sentimental, and featured the elite rather than the grassroots. There is a lack of cultural products that reflect the daily life of the Chinese people, resulting in a lack of appeal to the outside world. In contrast many western countries like the U.S. and Asian countries like South Korea and Japan have both gained economic benefits and raised their profile through exporting cultural products. Many misconceptions about China in the international community result from lack of such down to earth cultural exchanges.

It has become essential for China to reassure the international community, relieve its unnecessary doubts, and present a modern vision of the country through cultural exchanges.

President Xi Jinping’s gifts of DVDs to Latin American countries could be a signal that China's cultural products are about to 'go global'.

Read the Chinese version “国礼”传播“百姓故事” 塑造文明可亲中国形象; Source: Guangzhou Daily