Chinese movie star Zhang Ziyi has expressed nostalgia about her decade as a film star after being selected as the most popular actress by a major cinema chain in China, the Beijing News reported Wednesday.

Zhang arrived late wearing capri jeans and sandals for the informal get-together held by the New Film Association (NFA) cinema chain to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Tuesday.

"When I was enrolled into the Central Academy of Drama 10 years ago I was very happy," Zhang was quoted as saying by the newspaper.     

"Today I'm suddenly aware that I've been engaged in the profession for 10 years," she said with an emotional sigh.     

Zhang said among her prize-winning films, Zhang Yimou's "The Road Home," (1997) impressed her most. She won the Full Blossom award for best actress as selected by Chinese audience.     

Zhang Ziyi made her big screen debut in famed Chinese director Zhang Yimou's "The Road Home." Her next role was the Oscar-winning kung fu flick "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2000. In her decade-long career, she has made 11 films, including the Hollywood movies "Rush Hour 2" (2001) and "Memoirs of a Geisha."

Ge You and Feng Xiaogang, both familiar to Chinese audience with their cooperation in comic movies, received the awards of most popular actor and director, respectively, the NFA announced Tuesday.

Lu Chuan took the young director award. Zhang Yang got the best artistic film with "Sunflower", and Feng Gong had the special award of cinema chains.

Founded in 1996, the NFA owns 16 cinemas across the country. It generated box office revenue of 1.2 billion yuan (149 million U.S. dollars) and has screened 9,426 movies over the past decade.

Editor: Donald