On the evening of September 12, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Cao Zhongming and his wife Yang Qing attended the opening ceremony of the 2025 China Film Festival held at the China Cultural Centre in Singapore. More than 200 guests were present, including envoys and representatives from various embassies in Singapore, as well as distinguished attendees from various sectors of China and Singapore. The guests watched the opening film, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru.

In his speech, Ambassador Cao said that this year's China Film festival coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, as well as the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The opening film, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, is based on a true story from World War II. The film serves as a profound reminder to future generations that, amid the current international landscape of volatility and instability, peace should never be taken for granted. The specter and pernicious legacy of militarism still linger in some countries. It is a critical responsibility of all nations to uphold the achievements of the World Anti-Fascist War. Film is an art of light and shadow—a witness to our times, a recorder of history, and a shaper of our imagination for the future. This year's festival will feature many outstanding Chinese films and it's believed that these works will not only provide with rich audio-visual experiences but also further deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Singapore.