(TAO MING)

Zhou Xun, one of China's leading actresses, recently appeared on CNN's Talk Asia. Though Zhou, according to CNN, is "little known outside of China," her influence in the Chinese cinema world is unquestionable.

In addition to every prestigious film award on the Chinese mainland, the actress of 18 years, who CNN called was self-effacing, has also won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress in 2006 for Perhaps Love and the Asian Film Award for Best Actress in 2009 for The Equation of Love and Death. Last December, the 35-year-old was honored as "Star of the Year" by CineAsia, a major award from the cinema exhibition and distribution community of the Pan-Asia region.

A 2009 survey found that Zhou had overtaken Zhang Ziyi as the most-preferred Chinese mainland entertainer for advertisers.

The UN Development Program appointed Zhou as its first Chinese goodwill ambassador in 2008 for her active role in promoting environmental protection.