Kolkata, Nov 3 (IANS): China will feature as the focus country in the 22nd edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival, beginning here on November 11, a diplomat said here on Thursday.

A delegation of at least eight people from the Chinese film industry will attend the fest which will screen as many as seven films from the neighbouring country.

"One film will go for the international competition (women directors)," China's Consul Li Suyun told IANS.

Earlier this year, China held its first film fest in the city, which is home to India's largest Chinese Indian community, numbering to around 2,000.

Chinese Consul General in Kolkata Ma Zhanwu had drawn attention to the fact that Indian film market is about a third the size of the Chinese market and the Chinese have great respect for Indian film producers.

China's ties with India have recently been hit over India's entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the country blocking India's appeal to the United Nations to label Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar terrorist, and the call to boycott Chinese goods.