Portugal has launched its first Chinese Film Festival as part of efforts to facilitate cultural exchanges between the two countries, Chinese official news agency Xinhua reported.

A total of 32 Chinese films will be screened during the event held in the nation’s capital, Lisbon. It lasts from September 10 to 30.

“The Chinese Film Festival aims to show Chinese cinematography and to promote exchange through dialogue between managers and professionals of Chinese and Portuguese films,” Portuguese Secretary of State for Culture, Jorge Barreto Xavier, said in a statement.

The Chinese Film Festival initiative follows an official visit Mr Xavier paid to China last November. A festival of Portuguese films will be launched in China next year, Xinhua reported.