The acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou will lead a delegation of China's prominent directors, actors and film and television executives to Columbia University today for a public seminar on Chinese films that begins a North American tour saluting five decades of Chinese cinema.

The 17 films from China to be featured during the tour date from 1952 to 1997, and most have never been seen in the United States. The films will be shown at City Cinemas Village East from tomorrow through next Tursday and are also to travel to Los Angeles; Houston; Santa Barbara, Calif., and Montreal.

The visit comes at a time when the American film industry seeks greater access to the Chinese market and when China seeks to position its film industry to compete better in the world marketplace.

This morning, Columbia University professors will join the delegation at 10:30 in Kent Hall on the university's campus in Morning-side Heights for a discussion titled " A Celebration of Chinese Films: Five Decades of Outstanding Chinese Cinema."

Besides Mr. Zhang, whose films include "Raise the Red Lantern" and "To Live," the delegation includes Feng Xiaoning, the director of "Red River Valley"; its star, the actress Ning Jing, and He Qun, the director of "Boys and Girls."

Columbia professors who are to participate in the discussion include Lewis Cole, chairman of the university's film division; Richard Pena, an assistant professor of film and the program director of the Lincoln Center Film Society; Paul Anderer and David Wang of the department of East Asian languages and cultures, and Madeleine Zelin, director of the East Asian Institute.