A documentary retracing the ancient journey of Marco Polo premiered in London on Wednesday.

Titled "In the Footsteps of Marco Polo," the film was produced by One Tribe TV and stars Stanley Johnson and Max Johnson. 

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

Stanley Johnson, former British politician, and father of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said he initially began this journey with his friends in 1961 from Venice but stopped at the border between Afghanistan and China.

"We were able to pick up from our last trip, and we took this chance as a way to build bridges between East and West," said Stanley Johnson. 

"It's important nowadays because we are confronting global issues like climate change and we have to work together."

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

He extended an invitation to the people of the UK to visit China: "This movie will inspire more people in the UK to make similar travels, meet the people, learn the culture, and appreciate the landscapes and accomplishments in China."

Max Johnson, the youngest son of Stanley Johnson, said: "It's exciting to follow the journey of Marco Polo, and as the son, I have to follow in my father's footsteps. It's a very beautiful moment for me."

"A lot of people say things about China, but they haven't even been there. It's important to go to China and see it for yourself."

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Source(s): Xinhua