A documentary film about late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's historic nine-day visit to the United States in the late 1970s is set to be released on May 15 in China.

Mr Deng Goes to Washington, made by veteran director Fu Hongxing, details Deng's whirlwind visit to America at the invitation of then- U.S. president Jimmy Carter, shortly after the U.S. established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in January 1979.

The film includes footage of an assassination attempt on Deng by a Ku Klux Klan member. When Deng Xiaoping met with Jimmy Carter, two qualified reporters attempted to assassinate Deng and were shuffled away by security personnel.

The film also tells another dangerous experience. When Deng Xiaoping returned to his hotel after watching a rodeo show, a man darted forward, took out a package and threw it towards Deng. Fortunately, this man was subdued by the guards.

Director Fu Hongxing said the film is in honor of Deng's contribution to China as well as his influence on generations of Chinese people.

In addition to archived information, the film interviews personnel involved in Deng's visit, including former U. S. President Jimmy Carter, former U. S. National Security Advisor to President Carter Zbigniew Brzezinski, Deng's bodyguards and secret service from the White House.

The film's producer Lu Muzi told the Global Times that 90 percent of the footage was from various U.S. government agencies and major TV networks in the U.S.

"The nine days changed the world and the way of living of all the Chinese people. Many young people today may not be aware of Deng and that period of history. This is why we made the movie to raise awareness on our country's political history," said Lu. China launched its market reforms in the late 1970s, opening up to foreign trade and investment. 

Xinhua contributes to this report.