Chinese science fiction surprises and excites fans at Worldcon

Chinese science fiction and digital cultural intellectual properties (IPs) and products from Chengdu, Sichuan province, have drawn wide attention at the 84th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) in California.

This year's convention, which ran from Aug 27 to 31 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Orange County, Southern California, brought together thousands of authors, artists, actors, scientists, and fans of science fiction and fantasy from around the globe.

Sci-fi and digital cultural IPs and products from Chengdu were showcased at the convention, including KORMO, the 2023 Worldcon mascot; Walulu, a plush AI toy; the blockbuster animated film All Wishes Came True!; and Doctor Who merchandise.

Robert J. Sawyer, a renowned Canadian science fiction writer and Hugo and Nebula Award winner, described the sci-fi and Chengdu's digital cultural IPs as highlights of Chinese innovation at the convention.

Having visited China seven times, Sawyer says that he has witnessed the rapid growth of China's sci-fi community.

"It's fantastic to see this becoming so popular … to see young people reading about science, technology, computers, artificial intelligence, exploring the solar system, going beyond the solar system," Sawyer says.

On the innovation and writing styles of Chinese science fiction writers, Sawyer says they are depicting exciting scientific breakthroughs as Western science fiction writers did, but with the technology and science available today, including computing, quantum physics, space travel, and biotechnology.

He also highlights the diversity of China's sci-fi culture, including Chinese artwork, graphic novels, computer-animated videos, films, and television productions.

Considering international exchanges important to the development of science fiction, he says that writers and editors from China, Canada, Europe, and the United States have been working together on projects that bring different perspectives on the future.

Carolina Gomez Lagerlof, chair of the European Science Fiction Society, says that interest in Chinese science fiction has grown considerably in Western Europe in recent years and that an increasing number of translated works are now available.

She says she was also surprised by the scale of interest in science fiction in China after visiting the country and meeting Chinese fans.

Chen Shi, secretary-general of Chengdu Science Fiction Society, says the sci-fi community in Chengdu hopes to showcase the appeal of Chinese sci-fi at the convention, learn from Hollywood's experience in innovation and development in the sci-fi sector, and further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the international sci-fi community.

Since its founding in 1939, Worldcon has become the annual gathering of the World Science Fiction Society and one of science fiction's most important cultural events. Its Hugo Award ranks among the field's most coveted prizes for science fiction and fantasy.