Chinese comedy productions for cinema, TV or online are enjoying happy times in 2024, as audiences lap up lighthearted fare.
Streaming platforms have significantly enhanced their comedic content, offering audiences a broad choice, from stand-up and sketch comedy to web series. This diversification caters to a growing demand for comedic entertainment, as viewers seek to unwind and escape the pressures of daily life.
The box office for comedy films has also reported remarkable growth. During the initial two days of the seven-day National Day holiday, box office revenues experienced a 10-percent year-on-year increase, largely driven by the success of comedy films.
"Actually, the overall performance of comedy films this year has been quite impressive. Among the top ten box office films this year, five have a comedic style. Since cinemas inherently have a social networking aspect, audiences expect a more relaxed environment, and comedy is a very relaxing genre," said Sophia Shen, a cinema manager.
Two highly anticipated comedies, Jackie Chan's action-comedy "Panda Plan" and the comedy "The Hutong Cowboy" starring Ge You, debuted during the National Day holiday, providing fans with the chance to see their beloved super stars on the big screen.
"I think the two comedies this year feature actors I really like, Jackie Chan and Ge You. I grew up watching their movies, so I came today specifically to see these two films," said one eager viewer.
With Chan's recent absence from major films, this collaboration with Mahua FunAge marks a significant return.
"I think their partnership will be quite interesting," said another moviegoer.
While the positive box office figures may lead some to believe that comedy is entering a golden age, Wang Weicheng, the chief producer of Panda Plan, offers a different perspective.
"The comedy film has always held a specific position in the market, and it has consistently been very popular. Audience expectations continue to rise, and we are also evolving. Today's humor must resonate more deeply with viewers," Wang said.
Chinese comedy on screen and online thrives in 2024, driving box office growth
Yalu River estuary in northeast China's Liaoning Province is a key biodiversity conservation area in China providing habitats for migratory birds and dozens of endangered species.
Situated at the northern edge of the Yellow Sea Ecoregion, the Yalu River estuary in Dandong, Liaoning Province is a crucial stopover site for birds migrating along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway which spans more than 20 countries and regions from the Arctic to Southeast Asia and Australasia.
Staff at the Dandong Yalu River Estuary National Nature Reserve are conducting research on the quantity, species, and spatial distribution of migratory waterbirds as they arrive here during their autumn migration.
"By doing these surveys we can understand the waterbirds' migration patterns, food chains and food distribution. We can also track these birds via satellite to monitor their migration routes and timings within the migratory area," said Ma Li from the nature reserve.
Ma added that the reserve has conducted surveys on northbound waterbirds for 26 consecutive years. The number of migratory birds being surveyed can reach 60,000 to 80,000 during the autumn migration.
As well as being a stopover site for migratory birds, Yalu River estuary also contributes to biodiversity conservation by providing vital habitats for endangered species within the region.
Preserving the typical coastal wetland landscape of East Asia, the Dandong Yalu River Estuary National Nature Reserve accommodates most species of the Liaodong Peninsula in northeast China, thus maintaining the richness and diversity of wildlife.
The nature reserve is home to 453 species of plants, 324 species of birds, more than 80 species of nektons, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
"In terms of global biodiversity conservation, the Yalu River Estuary Wetland in Dandong supports the survival and development of nearly 20 rare and endangered species in the world. Therefore, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this location holds significant importance," said Lei Guangchun, a professor from Beijing Forestry University.
The Yalu River estuary is one of the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II) which was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List on July 26.
Migratory bird habitat in China’s Liaoning bears significance for biodiversity conservation
