Editor's Note:

Literature and art in modern-day China is,mk in essence, the literature and art of the people, as art creators follow a people-centered approach in their work and produce numerous outstanding works that satisfy people's spiritual needs, embody Chinese cultural traditions and reflect the nation's aesthetic pursuits.

As the annual two sessions convene in Beijing, a number of CPPCC  members and NPC deputies shared with the Global Times their proposals and suggestions on achieving the creative transformation and innovative development of literary and artistic creation and cultural heritage protection in the new era.

People pose for photos before a mural inspired by the animated film Ne Zha 2in Binzhou, Shandong Province. Photo: VCG

Building elderly friendly theaters for China's growing aging population

Fu Ruoqing, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of the China Film Group Corporation, has proposed a "silver cinemas," or "elderly friendly cinemas," initiative to address the growing cultural needs of China's aging population. 

"Seniors today are not just seeking care - they crave meaningful social engagement and cultural enrichment," Fu told the Global times.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that by the end of 2024, the population aged 60 and above in China had reached 310 million, accounting for 22 percent of the country's total population. It is predicted that this percentage will rise to 30 percent by 2035, with the elderly population to exceed 400 million by then, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 

Fu observed that the "younger elderly" demographic is exhibiting evolving demand for leisure and social engagement, yet their cultural consumption remains underserved.

His call to retrofit cinemas into "elderly friendly cinemas" emphasizes barrier-free designs, optimized lighting and seating tailored for comfort, alongside integrated services like dining and transportation to create a seamless experience.

Expanding content tailored for aged audiences, including historical dramas and family films, as well as cinema tickets in elderly welfare programs and deploying mobile screening units in community centers could also be a useful strategy to promote "elderly friendly cinemas."

"Cinemas should evolve beyond youth-centric models to embrace social inclusivity," said Fu, who urges policymakers to integrate cinema subsidies into elderly welfare programs and support community-based screenings.  

To stabilize the film market, he advocates a dual approach: accelerating high-quality content production and industrial upgrades, and reforming distribution mechanisms to promote "differentiated screenings."  

Fu pointed out that the film industry kicked off 2025 with a booming start. This not only demonstrates "the strong potential of China's film market but also reflects the vigorous vitality and huge potential of China's economy."

An internet celebrity singer holds a concert in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Photo: VCG

Deeper youth-driven cultural exchange in GBA

"I have already scheduled visits to several art schools in Fujian and Sichuan provinces for after the two sessions to convey the spirits of these meetings to young people," Warren Mok, a renowned tenor from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and CPPCC member, told the Global Times, noting that the power of youth and the role of Hong Kong in strengthening cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world is his key focus at the 2025 two sessions.

Mok stressed the need for deeper cultural integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), particularly through collaborative performances, workshops, and cultural symposiums. While acknowledging that Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland have made significant progress in cultural collaboration, Mok noted that there is still room for improvement in the implementation of these initiatives. 

For example, he pointed out that although his troupe has toured more than 20 cities in the mainland, they have yet to perform extensively within the GBA. He proposed that policies supporting cultural exchanges in the region should be backed by stronger financial support to ensure high-quality performances and diverse cultural programs.

Mok highlighted the availability of shared resources across the GBA, such as theaters in Shenzhen's Qianhai district, where Hong Kong performers can rehearse and hold events. 

He also suggested that the Hong Kong SAR government and GBA authorities could work together to provide funding for mutual visits and exchange programs ­between cultural groups, which would foster greater understanding and collaboration.

Mok proposed increasing Hong Kong's role as a center for international cultural exchange. He suggested enhancing the functions of Hong Kong's global economic and trade offices by incorporating cultural and sports initiatives. Mok argued that combining economic, cultural and sports diplomacy would strengthen Hong Kong's soft power on the global stage.

Mok also emphasized the importance of cultivating the next generation. He has led young performers on tours across the Chinese mainland, exposing them to the region's rich history and development.

A replica of the bookstore featured in the popular TV series Joy of Life, based on the novel of the same name, in Shanghai Photo: VCG

Uniting Web authors and redefining historical narratives to reach the world

Amid China's intensified efforts to expand its global cultural reach, Jiang Shengnan, a CPPCC National Committee member and renowned online literature author, has proposed comprehensive reforms to regulate the rapidly growing Web literature sector and revitalize historical television dramas as vehicles for better promoting Chinese culture overseas.  

According to a report released by the China Writers Association in 2024, the number of China's online literature users surpassed 500 million in 2023. The 2023 blue book of ­China's online literature revealed that more than 30 million literary works had been published online by the end of 2023, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The latest data shows that as of November 2024, WebNovel, a subsidiary of Chinese online literature platform Yuewen, had already translated 6,000 Chinese novels into other languages, nurtured 450,000 overseas writers and attracted 300 million users across more than 200 countries and regions, according to a report by The Paper.

"Given the massive scale of online writers and internet users in China, it is essential to establish a national online writers association," Jiang said, adding that the association could help unify fragmented regional groups, provide legal support, and incentivize socially responsible storytelling through national awards.

Citing Zhejiang Province's success in incubating cross-media hits involving collaboration between writer villages and research institutes, Jiang emphasized transitioning the sector from "unchecked expansion to curated excellence," ensuring stories reflect values like "harmony in diversity" while remaining globally appealing.

Jiang noted that many hit dramas are adapted from online literature. However, many screenwriters only focus on adapting the top-ranked online novels, without realizing that many of these works suffer from severe homogenization. Parallel reforms target China's historical dramas, which face a paradox: While costume series have gained international traction, many prioritize exaggerated fictional stories over authentic narratives. 

Jiang warned this trend risks ceding cultural interpretation rights, particularly as foreign productions reinterpret East Asian history. 

"When foreign productions reinterpret East Asian history, we risk ceding the right to define our own heritage," she stated, advocating for state-backed initiatives like the "Huaxia Civilization Project" to fund high-quality scripts and promoting them through international platforms such as the "Belt and Road Film Week."

People admire a giant lantern inspired by the video game Black Myth: Wukongat the Greater Bay Area Lantern Festival in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Photo: VCG

Blending AI, tradition to bridge cultures, spark artistic innovation

Nearly two years ago, Chinese artist and CPPCC member Shu Yong began his daily AI-generated art creation journey. "I continue to craft a new painting each day by instructing AI tools like DeepSeek," Shu shared on his WeChat Moments last week.

Amid the rapid rise of generative AI, Shu has embraced a dual approach, producing one artwork daily by incorporating traditional painting techniques with AI-driven methods. This comparative exploration has illuminated both the potential and the limits of technology in art. 

He noted that AI accelerates creativity, swiftly delivering intricate and complete results while often sparking unexpected inspiration through the tension between human intent and AI interpretation. This fusion challenges the boundaries of conventional artistry, enabling bold experimentation and a seamless integration of human imagination with AI's data-driven precision.

"For nearly three months, I couldn't touch a blank sheet of paper - each time I held a pen, I felt powerless," Shu told the Global Times. 

"Then I turned to AI, and at first, it was exhilarating - full of joy and creative energy, yielding a flood of work. But by the third month, I sensed my inspiration waning; the novelty dulled, and ideas felt less inventive."

It was then that he returned to traditional painting, where the tactile act of creation reignited a wellspring of ideas. "The interplay between AI-generated art and traditional methods offers a profound avenue for cultural reflection and intellectual discovery," Shu said. 

He advocates drawing from China's rich traditional heritage and weaving it into AI creations, achieving a dynamic synthesis that yields works of depth and magnificence.

Now, Shu seeks a balanced synergy between AI and traditional art, exploring diverse expressions to enrich the evolution of artistic practice. One of his proposals as a member of the CPPCC National Committee calls for leveraging AI tools to revitalize and amplify traditional culture.

Shu gained global recognition for his installation work Golden Bridge on the Silk Road, inspired by the ancient Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province. Symbolizing a shared global future and showcased at events like the 2017 Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, this work has become an emblem of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In recent years, Chinese cultural icons such as video game Black Myth: Wukongand the hit film Ne Zha 2have captivated global audiences, reflecting the growing resonance of Chinese storytelling. Since becoming a CPPCC member in 2023, Shu has aspired to craft national cultural symbols that narrate China's contemporary story.

"From Wukongto Ne Zhaand Golden Bridge on the Silk Road, these works emerge from a global context," he said. "By harnessing creative thinking and universally accessible communication, they uncover shared cultural threads, fostering mutual understanding and serving as bridges to connect the world."