Film projects jointly produced by Russia and China are strengthening bilateral ties and promoting cultural dialogue, a senior Russian media executive said.

MOSCOW, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Film projects jointly produced by Russia and China are strengthening bilateral ties and promoting cultural dialogue, a senior Russian media executive said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Svetlana Balanova, CEO of National Media Group, described co-productions as an effective tool for enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation.

"Russia-China joint films are an efficient instrument for developing cultural dialogue and strengthening ties between the two countries," she said, expressing confidence that more diverse collaborative projects will emerge in the future.

Balanova highlighted the 2025 film Red Silk as a milestone in advancing a systematic approach to jointly promoting national cinema and producing works that reflect shared values.

The film, released in both Russia and China, became the most successful Russian movie at the overseas box office in 2025, she said.

Last year marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War.

According to Balanova, Russian audiences were drawn to the film's dynamic storyline and performances, while Chinese viewers were attracted by its portrayal of resilience in harsh Siberian conditions.

"The film's success was influenced by its exploration of themes pertinent to the history of Russia-China relations, as well as its visually striking scenes shot in both countries," she said.

Looking ahead, Balanova revealed that a sequel, titled Black Silk, is currently in production as a new international collaboration between filmmakers from the two countries.

The project has already been granted co-production status in China and will continue the story introduced in Red Silk.

Balanova noted that the film will be shot across studios in China and Russia, and will feature an international cast from Russia, China, Japan and Serbia.

She added that the sequel will retain key elements that appealed to audiences in the original while expanding its narrative scope, visual style and production capabilities.

"'Black Silk' is an independent story with new mysteries and characters, accessible to both fans of the first film and those just getting to know the story, both in Russia and abroad," she said.

Following the success of the first installment, Balanova expressed optimism that the sequel, scheduled for release in 2027, will achieve strong box office performance and attract a wider global audience.