Marking the film's first public presentation on the continent, the African screening tour of the Chinese film My Ma'an Ling officially commenced on Monday at the Confucius Institute of Hassan II University in Morocco.

Coordinated by Cheng Hongjin, the Chinese director of the Hassan II University Confucius Institute, the event was attended by the Chinese delegation to Morocco including the film's executive producer, Wang Chengze.

Addressing the audience at the opening ceremony, Wang said the film draws inspiration from the true history of The Red Detachment of Women during the fight for the liberation of Hainan Island. Through the stories of revolutionary pioneers, the film portrays their resistance against oppression and their enduring commitment to the nation.

Wang noted that the values embodied in the film—including perseverance, the pursuit of justice and hope, and dedication to the greater good—resonate with the historical experiences of African countries in their struggles for national independence, development, and a better future. With the Morocco screening the starting point of the film's African tour, he expressed hope that the production will serve as a bridge for cultural exchange, and help foster closer ties and mutual understanding between the people of China and Africa.

In his speech, Director Cheng described the Confucius Institute at Hassan II University as long committed to promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Morocco, and as a stable platform for youth engagement and China-Africa friendship. Expressing the hope that the event would encourage greater mutual understanding and friendship among young people from both countries, he also added that the special screening offers Moroccan students a new window into China's revolutionary history and contemporary development.

Ma’an Ling (which can be translated as “saddle ridge”) was one of the key battlefields for Hainan.

Inspired by historical events on the island, the film tells the story of women who broke free from traditional constraints, joined the revolutionary cause, and devoted themselves to their country. Grounded in historical fact and presented through nuanced storytelling, the film seeks to recreate a defining chapter of China's revolutionary history while offering an internationally accessible narrative, and contributing to the overseas communication of China's revolutionary heritage.

The screening at a North African university, hosted through the Confucius Institute's established platform for cultural exchange, demonstrates a people-centered approach to sharing China's stories with international audiences. By presenting China's revolutionary history through authentic narratives and promoting dialogue based on mutual respect and learning, this event helps overseas youth gain a deeper understanding of China's historical journey and the broader context of Chinese modernization, while showcasing the country's openness and inclusiveness in the new era.

The Morocco screening represents both a new exploration in introducing China's revolutionary heritage to overseas audiences and a practical effort to enrich cultural exchanges between China and Africa. It also contributes fresh momentum to mutual learning between civilizations.

According to the organizers, My Ma'an Ling will continue its screening tour across several African countries, using cinema as a platform for cross-cultural dialogue. Through the exchanges brought about by this dialogue, the film aims to present a contemporary image of China and contribute to closer people-to-people ties, deeper mutual learning among civilizations, and the building of a global community with a shared future.