VIENTIANE — A documentary celebrating the enduring friendship between China and Laos held its international screening here on October 30, 2025. The event, titled "Lighting the Path to Building Mekong Bonds," was hosted by China Southern Power Grid (CSG).

The screening of Hands of Hope and a public open day were attended by over a hundred guests, including senior officials from both countries. Vansay Tavinyan, former deputy head of the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, Li Xizhen, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Laos, and a representative from CSG's News Center delivered remarks at the event.

In his speech, Tavinyan commended Chinese enterprises like CSG for their cooperation with Laos, not only in economic development and regional power collaboration but also in fulfilling social responsibilities. He stated that such efforts, including cross-border visual storytelling, significantly enhance mutual understanding and emotional bonds between the peoples of China and Laos.

Li emphasized the close geographical and shared destiny of the two nations. She noted that the operations of Chinese enterprises in Laos are a practical example of bilateral cooperation that brings tangible benefits and improves livelihoods for the Lao people.

A representative from CSG's News Center described the documentary as a sincere effort to use film as a bridge to strengthen the bond between the two countries, expressing a commitment to continue collaborating with all parties to share stories of China-Laos friendship.

The 22-minute documentary tells the touching story of how CSG helped the principal of a school for hearing-impaired children in Laos realize her dream of studying in China. The film's authentic narrative resonated strongly with the audience.

Following the screening, the creative team shared insights into the filming process, and employees from the Laos National Transmission Network Company (EDL-T) shared stories about the company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices.

The event also featured interactive exhibition zones, including areas dedicated to CSG's charity achievements, behind-the-scenes footage of the documentary, intangible cultural heritage experiences, electricity science education, and a charity wish wall. These displays showcased CSG's contributions to educational support, community building, and power cooperation in Laos through photos, objects, and videos.

Hands of Hope is a joint production by China Southern Power Grid, the China Review Studio, and the Discovery Channel. It was first released on September 28 to mark the International Day of the Deaf and has been available in Chinese, Lao, and English. Following this international premiere, the documentary is scheduled to be broadcast in over nine languages on major global audio-visual platforms.