Collaborative Documentaries Between China and Thailand Premiere

Over a span of seven years, a committed group has been on a remarkable quest to document nature, culminating in two innovative documentaries produced in collaboration between China and Thailand. The films, The Legend of Oriental Pied Hornbill and Ark of Bryde's Whale, made their world debut on June 30 and July 1, airing simultaneously on Guangxi Radio and TV along with a channel of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand. This release also celebrates a significant milestone—the 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, which coincided with the premiere dates.

Ding Quan, the director of these documentaries, shared insights with China Daily, particularly highlighting Ark of Bryde's Whale, which focuses on the rare and endangered Bryde's whale, a species that holds the highest level of protection in China. This documentary reveals previously unseen footage and tells the stories of the only known nearshore population of large whales in China. It emphasizes the collaborative efforts of Chinese and Thai scientists who are working together to establish a "life ark" for these whales, promoting the concept of a "global life community."

Ding pointed out that the film introduces four significant firsts to viewers around the world, including the inaugural documentary about Bryde's whales in China and the first-ever documentation of their unique courtship behavior, nocturnal feeding habits, and the underwater communication between mother and calf. Through a combination of aerial, surface, and underwater filming techniques, the documentary captures the enchanting life of Bryde's whales in Weizhou Island's waters in Guangxi, reflecting the dedicated conservation efforts of both Chinese and Thai teams.