Chongqing Eyes Greater Global Reach Through Creative Industries

From Massita Ahmad

CHONGQING (China), June 10 (Bernama) -- Chongqing is seeking to expand the global footprint of its creative industries by attracting overseas creative talent, strengthening international cooperation and bringing Chinese film and television productions to wider international audiences.

With a population of about 32 million, Chongqing is one of China’s most populous municipalities and aims to blend the country’s rich cultural heritage, including its own Bayu culture, with modern technologies to create content that resonates with audiences at home and abroad.

Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress Wang Jiong said the southwestern Chinese municipality would leverage both domestic and international cultural resources to enhance creative production and foster greater mutual understanding among civilisations.

"We will draw deeply on the cultural resources of all countries, innovatively extract the contemporary value of China's fine traditional culture and Chongqing's Bayu culture, and achieve creative transformation through modern aesthetics and technologies," he said.

"Our goal is to produce more high-quality film and television works with a distinct cultural identity and strong appeal," Wang said at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Chongqing International Animation Film Week in Yongchuan District on Monday.

Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and China Media Group (CMG) Editorial Board Member Jiang Haiqing, who is also the Secretary of the CPC Committee and Chairperson of China International Television Corporation.

As part of its internationalisation efforts, Wang said Chongqing would strengthen cooperation with overseas partners, enhance international communication platforms and promote the global reach of Chinese productions.

He said people-to-people exchanges would remain a key component of Chongqing's efforts to strengthen international understanding and cultural cooperation.

"Through people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, we will convey Chongqing's voice and tell China's stories well," he said.

Held under the theme "Boundless Creativity · Excelling Together", the five-day event brings together animation professionals, filmmakers, technology developers and industry representatives from China and abroad to discuss emerging trends and opportunities in the animation sector.

The opening ceremony featured a large-scale production integrating animation, music and advanced digital technologies, showcasing the evolution of Chinese animation and the growing role of AI, virtual production and motion-capture technologies in content creation.

Among the highlights of the film week is the Golden Camellia Honorary Recommendation programme, which attracted 501 animated works from around the world. Following a preliminary review, 45 productions were shortlisted for the final round of judging.

The jury is chaired by acclaimed animation director Rob Minkoff, co-director of Disney's “The Lion King”, and includes leading figures from the animation and film industries in China and overseas.

In addition to industry activities, nearly 40 classic animated films will be screened at more than 30 cinemas across Chongqing, while free outdoor screenings will be held in public spaces to encourage wider public participation.

The 2026 Chongqing International Animation Film Week is jointly organised by the Chongqing Municipal Committee's Publicity Department, the Animation Programme Centre of CMG and the Yongchuan District People's Government.

The film week runs until June 13.

--BERNAMA