Emerging trends empower audiovisual sector's future

The 4th Beijing Internet Audiovisual Arts Conference kicked off in the Chinese capital on June 24, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, scholars, and creators to discuss the future of China's rapidly evolving online audiovisual sector.

Hosted by the Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau under the theme "new arts, emerging trends", the two-day event focuses on promoting high-quality content creation, technological innovation and talent development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yu Yingjie, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, called on the industry to strengthen its role in promoting mainstream values, preserving Chinese cultural heritage, and empowering cultural tourism through digital technologies.

Mao Guangcheng, secretary of the Secretariat of the China Writers Association, highlighted the growing integration between literature and online content, encouraging deeper collaboration between the two sectors.

Gong Yu, founder and CEO of streaming giant iQIYI, addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry. He noted that while high production costs have long shut out many talented creators, especially younger creators, AI is now fundamentally changing this landscape by reducing costs and improving content quality.

His remarks come amid the sector's explosive growth. According to the China Netcasting Services Association, 128,000 micro-dramas were streamed in the first quarter of this year alone — four times the total of the previous year. However, Gong pointed out that, despite this massive volume, the proportion of works that reach wider audiences remains extremely low. AI-generated micro-dramas, in particular, still lack landmark works that truly resonate with viewers — a challenge facing the entire industry, but also creating an opportunity, he said.

Actor Hou Jingjian, known for revolutionary dramas such as Glory and Dream, emphasized that regardless of how communication media evolve, an actor's reverence for the craft and basic skills remain irreplaceable core competencies.

The conference also unveiled a series of activities aimed at supporting industry growth. These included an international micro-drama competition, a youth-focused track for the 6th Future Audiovisual Innovation Competition, and a showcase of Beijing's top-tier 4K and 8K ultra-high-definition productions