Zhang in a fight scene as Jen Yu with Michelle Yeoh's character of Yu Shu-lien in the Oscar-winning 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"I do not behave like that now since I need to be responsible for my family, but it seems that kind of effort (hard work) has pushed me to where I am today."

When asked why she is so tough at work, Zhang Ziyi said it could be related to her experience of learning how to dance during childhood.

"I entered a dance school at the age of 11 but I was not a talented dancer. I knew I wouldn't ever be a good student but I was afraid of being last. So I kept making the effort, and the habit of working hard was formed during the six years I stayed there," she added.

Zhang Ziyi said the turning point in her career came in 2004 while filming the movie 2046, during which she started to find out that she could inject emotions into her character and express herself through her acting much more. "Since then, I have nurtured both self-confidence and a greater interest in acting."

Huang said the years between 1999 and 2019 also witnessed the fastest development of Chinese cinema.