Young creators tell cross-border stories

Micro dramas take center stage as creators turn shared histories and everyday connections between China and ASEAN countries into engaging narratives.

During severe typhoons, Chinese and Vietnamese doctors have joined forces to transport patients through the "1369 Life Express", a real-life medical rescue channel operating between China's Dongxing and Vietnam's Mong Cai.

Their cross-border cooperation has now found its way onto the screen.

Drawing on the rescue channel, Saving Lives at the Border follows young Chinese and Vietnamese doctors as they move from disagreements to working hand in hand in a hospital. It is one of many micro dramas taking center stage at the 8th ASEAN-China Media Week.

Opening on Oct 19 this year in Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the media week has been a platform for audio-visual exchanges between China and ASEAN countries since 2019.

This year, it introduced a new segment: the 2026 ASEAN-China Micro Drama Contest.

The competition has attracted 1,370 entries, including Saving Lives at the Border and works from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and more.

Though their subjects vary widely, many explore traditions, shared histories and people-to-people exchanges between China and ASEAN nations, turning broad regional ties into stories told through individual lives.