Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, the country's animated films have established a unique storytelling style, helping them gain a substantial foothold in a global animation market and attracting young people. With the summer vacation starting in July, movie theaters nationwide have received more children and young people, leading to a steady market expansion of animated films. Animated film "Into the Mortal World" has emerged as a welcome addition to this summer's movie calendar with its high-quality filmmaking. The film originated from an acclaimed student short film project from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts that went viral four years ago.
The new film, directed by Zhong Ding, who is also an associate professor at the academy, is inspired by the mythological figures of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. More than 2,000 animators from over 50 teams collaborated to transform the original student project into this new Chinese-style animated film over the past five years.
"Our original intention at that time was to allow more people to see the creativity and designs of our faculty and students in the art academy. Through the medium of film, we aim to enable more people to understand our passion for animation, our pursuit of beauty, and our unwavering dedication to our own dreams," he said.
The fusion of traditional Chinese cultural elements with modern thinking and language has given rise to a fresh expression in this animated film. Zhong expressed his delight in seeing more animation practitioners maintaining their unwavering dedication to realizing their dreams.
"During the process, [we] all hoped that Chinese animation can become better and better. Moreover, our cultural self-confidence is growing stronger, as our animation is backed by our profound cultural heritage and supported by the innovative thinking and creative impulses of our young people. In such a situation, I believe that there will be an increasing number of audiences who recognize and appreciate our domestically produced animation," he said.
"White Snake III", the third installment of Light Chaser Animation's White Snake film series, has witnessed significant improvements in terms of visual effects, sound design, and performance details on the big screen. Since the release of the new trailer, even overseas audiences of White Snake film series have been eagerly anticipating the work, according to Yu Zhou, president of Light Chaser Animation Studios.
"In fact, animation represents new technology, youth, and the future. Meanwhile, animation can go global. Therefore, we have great confidence in China's animation film industry. However, audiences' expectations are also increasing, whether it's in terms of storytelling and film making. So we all need to work together and strive to create excellent works," Yu said.
"White Snake III" is scheduled for release on Aug. 10.
China's animated films incorporate elements of traditional culture, attracting young people
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
