Best Actor

(XINHUA)

Chinese actor Liao Fan won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival for his performance in film Black Coal, Thin Ice on February 15, which also grabbed the Golden Bear for Best Picture. Liao, who played a devoted former criminal investigator in the film, became the first Chinese actor to win the honor. The movie, a detective thriller set in northeast China, is scheduled to debut in China in March.

Liao, 40, graduated from the Shanghai Theater Academy in 1997 and has played in dozens of TV operas, movies and plays. He was nominated for best actor at the Golden Horse Film Festival in 2008 for his performance in the movie Ocean Flame.

Basketball Star Retires

(XINHUA)

Former NBA player Wang Zhizhi finished his last match on February 16 during the final round of the 2013-14 Chinese Basketball Association league.

The 36-year-old veteran center started his career in the 1990s and became the first Chinese player to join the NBA in 2001 when he played for Dallas Mavericks. He also played for Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before returning to China in 2006.

"Prostitution, gambling and the use of drugs, which have decayed social morality, should be rooted out. The ongoing crackdown on prostitution and pornography will help to create a more favorable social atmosphere and a cleaner government."

Zhu Lijia, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Governance, commenting on the nationwide crackdown on prostitution

"The exchange between Chinese and Western musicians will help Chinese music reach the rest of the world. I want to introduce more Chinese musical elements into pop music to attract young people."

Renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, after presenting a concert in Charlottesville, a city in the state of Virginia, on February 14

"The National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) not only provides a platform for the exhibition of national art forms such as Peking and Kunqu operas, but also for local arts like Yue Opera."

Meng Xin, Deputy Director of the Performing Department of the NCPA, upon the center's announcement of a promotional season of performances from February 22 to March 16 of Yue Opera, which dates back at least 800 years.

"More Chinese students are learning fashion and design in Britain, and more Chinese designers were involved in the event this year. The London Fashion Week is a great platform for new Chinese designers, and the transformation of 'Chinese creation.'"

Xiang Xiaowei, Minister Counsellor of the Cultural Department with the Chinese Embassy to Britain, after watching Chinese designer Gao Yang's presentation of his new collection on February 18