As Chinese President Hu Jintao's much-anticipated U.S. visit is about to kick off, a short film called "Experience China" has premiered in New York's Time Square. The film offers Americans an insight into the lives of Chinese people, from the ordinary to the infamous.

With China's traditional red as the theme color, the 60-second "Experience China" video is shown on six screens simultaneously at Times Square. The show highlights ordinary Chinese and some more well-known figures too, including pianist Lang Lang, basketball player Yao Ming and astronaut Yang Liwei. New Yorkers have given the film positive reviews.

Resident in New York said "It's a lovely ad. It shows different variations of culture, athletics, scholarships, it's a very nice ad."

Resident in New York said "It's a great video, if I put the video together, I love a little bit more specific about who those people were, and more education to us, as to having to get to know those people in Chinese culture industry."

The short film is part of the public diplomacy campaign by the Chinese government, ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's U.S. state visit.

The film is shown at Times Square 15 times every hour from 6 am to 2 am the following day, and will run until February 14 with a total of 8,400 times of show time. CNN is also planning to air the video from January 17th to February 13th.