A Masai tribesman stands with a Chinese man in Kenya on March 11, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

China opened a research center on African film and television in Zhejiang Normal University on Friday, as part of efforts to beef up mutual understanding and cooperation.

The center will focus on academic exchanges and developing talent, said Liu Hongwu, director of the center.

"Although China is leading the world in economic and infrastructure cooperation with Africa, Chinese people's understanding of Africa is still limited, and many Africans often equate China to nothing more than food and martial arts," said Liu.

In 2011 and 2013, a Chinese TV comedy series about a modern Chinese couple was aired in Tanzania and Kenya, gaining popularity with the local audience.

In one-year period starting from September, audiences in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa will enjoy some 30 Chinese TV series and movies through StarTimes -- a leading Chinese-run TV channel in sub-Saharan Africa, covering 80% of the region's population.