London, UK - July 3, 2024

Storyline:
A documentary retracing the legendary journey of the Italian explorer Marco Polo jointly produced by China and the UK premiered in London on Wednesday.

Titled "In the Footsteps of Marco Polo," the film stars Stanley Johnson and Max Johnson, father and brother of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The father and son duo followed Marco Polo's 13th-century route through China, starting from Khunjerab, the only land port on the China-Pakistan border, traversing the highlands of Inner Mongolia, and ending in Beijing.

Stanley Johnson said in his speech at the premiere that Marco Polo built bridges of communication between East and West, and it is even more significant to retrace this route as people face a series of global problems that require coordination between two sides.

Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang said in his opening address that the movie is not only about pursuing dreams but also about China-Britain collaboration.

This movie will inspire more people in Britain to make similar travels, meet the people, learn the culture, and appreciate the landscapes and accomplishments in China, said Zheng, inviting the British people to visit China.

Marco Polo was an Italian merchant, explorer and writer. His travels are recorded in Book of the Marvels of the World, a book that described to Europeans the wealth and great size of China, and other Asian cities and countries.

Shotlist:
London, UK - July 3, 2024:
1. Various of premiere in progress, attendees;
2. Various of In the Footsteps of Marco Polo cover;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Max Johnson, co-star, In the Footsteps of Marco Polo (starting with shot 2/ending with shot 4):
"[China] is very good country, and Chinese are very good people (in Chinese). For me, the most memorable moment of the trip was seeing Stanley began the journey in Xinjiang on the border with Pakistan, and at the top there, and I can see in his eyes how exciting it was for him. We were following the footsteps of Marco Polo, so this is a beautiful moment for me.";
4. Various of Curzon cinema, In the Footsteps of Marco Polo posters.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]