‘Rainforest ecosystem’ makes Shenzhen a cultural beacon

Over the past two years, Shenzhen has emerged as a powerhouse of original cultural productions, ranging from stage plays and films to TV dramas and literary works. This vibrant cultural scene has laid the groundwork for what is now recognized as the city’s “rainforest cultural model” — an ecosystem thriving on diversity and symbiosis.

At the forefront of this cultural renaissance is the dance drama Wing Chun, a prime example of Shenzhen’s ability to creatively transform and innovate traditional Chinese culture. By integrating dance with martial arts, Wing Chun conveys the virtues of benevolence and morality. It has given 338 performances across 59 cities globally, setting a record for the number of performances by a Chinese dance drama in Europe. After two well-received shows in the Republic of Korea in July, it will embark on commercial tours in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Saudi Arabia later this year. These tours will further cement its status as “a cultural ambassador” of Shenzhen and a benchmark for Chinese cultural outreach.

Chang Hongji, the lead actor of Wing Chun and principal dancer of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater, shared insights from the global tours. “After performing in dozens of countries and regions, we fully understand that inclusive, open and mutually respectful exchanges are essential for Chinese art to gain global recognition. The pluralistic and inclusive core of the ‘rainforest model’ aligns perfectly with the demands of cross-cultural dialogue we have encountered overseas.”

In the film industry, Shenzhen’s creative vitality is embodied in productions such as Dear You and Kung Fu Soccer. The low-budget film Dear You resonates with audiences through its portrayal of ordinary people’s perseverance during the migration to Southeast Asia.

Grossing over 2 billion yuan ($296.5 million) worldwide, its success underscores the effectiveness of Shenzhen’s support for niche productions. Meanwhile, Kung Fu Soccer, directed by renowned Hong Kong director Stephen Chow, leverages Shenzhen’s technological prowess by integrating motion capture and AI special effects, showcasing the city’s film production capabilities.

These artistic achievements have prompted Shenzhen to develop a systematic “rainforest cultural ecosystem” framework. Sun Lili, chairperson of China Wit Media Company, highlights how this ecosystem provides growth opportunities for all. A pioneer in tech-enabled content creation, the company has launched AIGC Super Creation Lab, which produced the AI-generated short drama Stroke of Genius, which has amassed over 100 million views worldwide. This exemplifies the city’s deep integration of technology and culture.

Beyond blockbuster works, the city continues to refine its cultural ecosystem. The city addresses creative bottlenecks through targeted policies and platforms such as the Pengcheng academy of arts and letters, which explores future literary forms and redefines cultural narratives in the AI era. By advocating “new mass literature” and “urban writing”, Shenzhen taps into amateur creators from high-tech sectors, distilling its development logic and telling its stories with greater depth.

Initiatives such as “I Hear China, I Hear You” further enrich Shenzhen’s artistic diversity, releasing original compositions that build on its legacy of classic thematic songs. Supported by a robust cultural infrastructure and digital foundation, these efforts reflect a practical summary of Shenzhen’s cultural achievements.

As Shenzhen prepares to host the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November, it shines as a beacon of cultural innovation with its unique “rainforest-style cultural ecosystem”. Rooted in a rich tapestry of original literary and artistic works, this cultural ecosystem highlights the city’s commitment to fostering a diverse and symbiotic cultural environment.

When Shenzhen takes center stage at APEC 2026, its “rainforest cultural ecosystem” will exemplify how China’s pilot demonstration zone strengthens cultural confidence and empowers artistic creation with technology. Through high-quality cultural outputs, the city will offer a vivid interpretation of Chinese modernity to partners across the Asia-Pacific and beyond, showcasing a dynamic and inclusive urban civilization.