Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung has been invited to give lectures at the University of Edinburgh.[Photo: stardaily.com]

"Cinema China" - the biggest Chinese film festival ever to hit Britain has just opened in Edinburgh.

Veteran Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung and Chinese mainland director Xie Fei were invited to give lectures about Chinese cinema at the University of Edinburgh.

Local British movie buffs will be able to watch more than twenty Chinese movies produced over the last 80 years.

"Cinema China" has been divided into three parts, including the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, presenting a variety of Chinese movies - including action movies, musicals and art house movies.

Maggie Cheung has already ascended to the A-list actors in world cinema for her much-admired performances in "In the Mood for Love" and "Heroes". As a tribute to the actress, her starring movie "Centre Stage 1992" about the most prominent Chinese actress of the 1930s Ruan Lingyu, will take a prominent position on the screening list.

Ruan Lingyu's 1934 movie "The Goddess", often hailed as the pinnacle of Chinese silent cinema, will also be shown at the festival. A musical work especially written for the movie by Hong Kong artist Kimho Ip, will also debut at the movie's screening.

The event will also introduce big name director Zhang Yimou's two latest movies "Riding Alone for A Thousand Miles" and "Curse of Golden Flowers".

Besides filmmaking in China, other topics about China's society, history and culture will each be discussed in specific lectures at the University of Edinburgh.