Wilkinson announced the release of the documentary Pavarotti, the latest film from Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, which pays tribute to the tenor and recounts his talent and charisma.

The film will be released in China next year to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy.

In an excerpt from the documentary, the audience watched, at NCPA's event, a scene depicting the tenor's love of music and food, and for China.

In 1986, Pavarotti made his first trip to China to present Giacomo Puccini's opera, La Boheme, conduct master classes and perform concerts-and was the first prominent Western tenor to perform in China. The documentary portrays scenes of the tenor riding a bicycle across Tian'anmen Square and teaching Chinese tenors how to sing. He returned to China in 2001 and 2005 and deepened his friendship with the country and its audiences.