Held in Shenyang, Liaoning Province in Northeast China on Tuesday, the 2026 ASEAN-China Media Cooperation Forum gathered some 150 delegates from governmental bodies, media institutions, think tanks, enterprises and international organizations. Participants exchanged views in a cordial atmosphere and held thorough discussions on ways to further expand bilateral media engagement and collaboration.
Under the theme "Media Convergence for Shared Growth: Opening a New Chapter in the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," the forum was held at a significant moment: The year 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, as well as the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
First launched in 2018, the event is co-organized by the China International Communications Group and the China-ASEAN Center. Now in its ninth year, it has grown into a vital institutional platform for media interaction and collaboration between China and ASEAN.
President of CICG Chang Bo delivered the opening address on Tuesday. He noted that media plays a unique role in deepening mutual understanding and fostering emotional connections between peoples. He voiced the hope that closer media cooperation will foster a sound public opinion environment for ASEAN-China collaboration, strengthen people-to-people bonds and solidify the friendship between the two sides.
Khammone Chanthachith, a deputy head of the Propaganda and Training Committee of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, shared similar views. He noted that media acts as an essential bridge for building trust and enhancing understanding, and expressed confidence that deeper media cooperation will usher in a new chapter for ASEAN-China relations.
Undersecretary of State at Cambodia's Ministry of Information Prak Thaveak Amida said digital transformation and technological progress have brought new opportunities alongside challenges such as misleading content and disinformation. He stressed the need to bolster cooperation frameworks and called on media from China and ASEAN to uphold professional credibility, leverage new media platforms, and jointly present inspiring stories of ASEAN-China friendship.
On Tuesday, two round-table dialogues were also held during the forum, themed "Social Responsibility and the Media's Mission in Our Times" and "Innovative Practices and Diversified Development in the Digital Age," respectively.
Participants agreed that media organizations from both sides should step up exchanges and cooperation to reinforce mutual trust and friendship, and contribute to building a closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future. In the digital media landscape, they also pledged to advance sound public opinion governance, improve the global media ecosystem and amplify the voice of the Global South.
Besides, two new initiatives were unveiled at the forum: the ASEAN-China Social Media Content Creators Programme and the 2026 ASEAN-China Youth Cultural Heritage Tour Series.
According to organizers, the programmes aim to encourage young people across China and ASEAN to create innovative digital stories, so that the long-standing friendship between the two sides can reach wider audiences.
Nararya S. Soeprapto, a deputy secretary-general of ASEAN, hailed ASEAN-China relations as one of the most dynamic partnerships worldwide. He pointed out that China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, while ASEAN has ranked as China's top trading partner over the past six years.
Nararya also underscored media's value in nurturing mutual trust, deeper understanding and friendship.
In an interview with the Global Times, he said he has decades of experience working on ASEAN affairs. Over the past 30 years, he has witnessed remarkable progress in all-round exchanges between China and ASEAN. Media has been instrumental in strengthening bilateral relations by covering people-to-people exchanges as well as trade and investment cooperation.
"People to people connectivity is one of the most important elements in building a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN," he remarked, adding that people want to learn about one another through news and stories, and media serves as a crucial channel to spread these stories and further cement our bilateral ties.
He urged media outlets on both sides to keep fostering rapport and collaboration to enhance mutual understanding across all sectors, adding that the annual media forum is an important undertaking that should be continued.
Buji Babiera, a Filipino content creator with 3.8 million followers on TikTok, told the Global Times on the sidelines of the forum that he is impressed by China's rapid development and advanced technologies, and hoped his vlogs about China would help more people form an objective and rational perception of the country, instead of being misled by politicians' nationalist rhetoric.
Showing Instagram posts that capture his friends' travels in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, he asked the reporter: "Have you visited these spots? I truly hope to go there someday."
A Chinese woman in her 60s was injured and robbed of a shoulder bag containing approximately 8 million yen (about $50,000) in cash near Tokyo's busy Ikebukuro Station on Wednesday night, with police searching for two suspects who fled the scene, according to Japan's Kyodo News.
Kyodo News reported on Thursday that the incident occurred on a street in Tokyo's Toshima Ward. The victim told police that two individuals believed to be men robbed her shoulder bag. According to the Ikebukuro Police Station, the woman sustained minor head injuries during the robbery and said the bag contained about 8 million yen in cash.
When reached by the Global Times on Thursday for further details about the incident, a staff member at the Ikebukuro Police Station initially said the deputy chief responsible for the case was occupied and asked the reporter to leave contact information for a later response. After the reporter provided a phone number, the staff later called back to apologize and said they were unable to comment on the incident.
According to Kyodo News, police are investigating the case as a robbery resulting in injury and are searching for the two suspects who fled the scene.
The incident was reported at around 8:30 pm on Wednesday local time after a witness called emergency services and reported a bag-snatching, Kyodo News said.
Two suspects sprayed the woman with an unidentified substance, struck her in the head and then forcibly took her bag before fleeing, according to the report.
The robbery took place in a commercial district near JR Ikebukuro Station, one of Tokyo's busiest entertainment and shopping hubs.
When asked by a foreign reporter to comment on the US Department of the Treasury's announcement of sanctions against nine individuals and entities from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for allegedly providing support to the Iranian military in procuring weapons, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that "we will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and nationals."
Lin added that "as we have repeatedly made clear, China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or are not authorized by the UN Security Council."
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov in Minsk on Saturday.
Han said China and Belarus are good friends and good partners. China is ready to work with Belarus to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance strategic mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
Noting China and Belarus enjoy strong economic complementarity and broad prospects for cooperation, Han said China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Belarus and continue to open up new space for win-win cooperation.
He called for joint efforts to build the China-Belarus Industrial Park into an international industrial hub, welcomed more high-quality Belarusian products to the Chinese market, and urged both sides to step up youth exchanges to foster closer ties between the two peoples.
Snopkov said Belarus admires China's remarkable development achievements, and firmly believes the Chinese modernization will greatly contribute to world peace, development and common prosperity.
Belarus will always be a trustworthy and reliable strategic partner of China, he said, adding that his country is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and fully leverage existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms to enhance people-to-people exchanges and expand industrial cooperation.
Young people across the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) widely endorse the concepts and actions of the SCO, highly appreciate its positive role in global governance and hold high expectations for deepening cooperation across various fields among member states, according to a report released in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 27.
The report on interest trends among youth in SCO member states was jointly released by the Secretariat of the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) and the Global Times at the 2026 China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation Forum held in Bishkek. It is based on a 2025 survey of 10 official SCO member states, as well as data from Global Public Opinion. Focusing on youth perceptions and emerging trends, the report finds that young people are highly invested in employment, entrepreneurship, education, cultural ties, and global partnerships.
The findings show that young respondents strongly identify with the principles of the Shanghai Spirit, featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and the pursuit of common development. More than 80 percent of respondents believe that development cooperation within the SCO framework has brought tangible benefits to their own countries. Among them, 72 percent cited "promoting high-quality development in home countries," and 62 percent pointed to "bringing more international cooperation and development opportunities." Over 80 percent also affirmed the SCO's positive role in global governance.
China, as a founding member of the SCO, has consistently upheld and acted on the Shanghai Spirit by deepening practical cooperation in various fields with other member states and promoting shared development. The survey shows that among young respondents in SCO countries other than China, more than 90 percent of respondents believe that cooperation with China can positively impact their own country's development and modernization.
More than 90 percent of respodents said that China's development experience in multiple areas is worth learning from. These figures reflect a strong desire among young people across the SCO to deepen cooperation with China and benefit from shared development opportunities.
People-to-people exchanges are one of the most-watched areas of cooperation for young people in SCO member states. More than 90 percent of respondents said they look forward to future SCO cultural and exchange programs and activities. Among the most popular were "youth exchanges," "university/student exchanges," "foreign language learning," and "vocational training." The report concludes that young people are not only interested in macro-level cooperation between countries, but also place great importance on the real-world opportunities brought by education, skills and cross-cultural communication.
Moreover, the concerns of young people in SCO member states show clear contemporary characteristics. Hot topics such as AI, skills development and cultural consumption have become key indicators of trends in employment, education and cultural life. According to the survey, in 2025, media coverage of topics related to "youth," "employment" and "entrepreneurship" in SCO member states saw a 141 percent year-on-year increase in mentions of AI. AI is emerging as an important driver for young people to explore innovation and expand their career opportunities. In education, young people place a high priority on digital skills, practical skills and innovation capabilities, with a clear trend toward digital, remote and cross-cultural learning. At the same time, young respondents maintain a strong sense of their own cultural identity and are developing a cultural awareness that is both locally rooted and globally minded.
Youth represent the future of the SCO and are an important force driving regional cooperation and shared development. The report provides a concentrated picture of the common understandings, real concerns and development expectations of young people in SCO member states, offering a valuable public opinion reference for deepening youth cooperation. Despite a complex and changing international environment, young people in the SCO remain positive about multilateral cooperation and shared development - a sign of the deep youth base and broad prospects for SCO cooperation.
General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith arrives in Beijing, capital of China, June 4, 2026. Thongloun is in China for a five-day state visit. (Photo: Xinhua)
Can you believe a giant 7-meter-long "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," an iconic painting from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126), was hand-sculpted out of chocolate? This isn't fantasy — it's the amazing handiwork of Fan Sumu (pseudonym), a 1995-born creator from Northeast China who has no formal art training, domestic news site gmw.cn reported.
Fan recently shared a video online showcasing how she made the classic painting with chocolate, which has garnered 584,000 likes, according to the report.
The piece, made from chocolate, fondant, wafer paper and other edible materials, measures over seven meters in length and 1.22 meters in width. It recreated the scenes from the iconic painting, including 176 houses, 281 trees, over 20 boats, and 816 human figures, gmw.cn reported.
Fan says the project took her more than half a year and cost over 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,400).
Working as a food vlogger and content creator, Fan has never received professional training in crafting architectural replicas with chocolate, nor does she have an art background. She majored in international trade and mastered her skills purely by watching online tutorials and practicing independently, gmw.cn reported.
Fan recalled that she first started recreating fictional delicacies from animations and movies back in 2022, before moving on to reproducing classic works by world-famous pastry masters.
Currently, Fan focuses on reconstructing famous architecture at home and abroad using chocolate and other dessert materials. She has recreated numerous ancient Chinese buildings with sweet treats and has also reproduced dozens of renowned Chinese and Western paintings with vivid and lifelike details, the report said.
Fan said she finds traditional Chinese architecture deeply captivating, hoping to dig deeper into this field, and help more people learn about China's architectural heritage.
"No mountain or ocean can distance people who have shared aspirations." This powerful message underscores the force of friendship and cooperation in bridging hearts across nations, cultures and civilizations.
People from diverse backgrounds and fields, united by common goals and dreams, traverse mountains and oceans to connect with each other. Through letters, face-to-face dialogues and vibrant cultural events, they are collectively weaving a magnificent tapestry of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The Global Times presents "Intertwined Destinies, Shared Paths," a series spotlighting the touching stories written by these "friendship ambassadors." They are scholars pushing the boundaries of research, diplomats advocating for deeper cooperation on the global stage, artists igniting imaginations with their creations and ordinary people extending heartfelt love beyond national borders driven by their genuine sincerity.
Their stories illuminate the spark of cultural exchanges, the driving force of technological innovation, the bountiful harvest of economic cooperation and the enduring warmth of human connection - all contributing to a more peaceful, prosperous and open world. This is the 15th installment of the series.
The ocean is the cradle of life and the shared blue home of humanity. In recent years, China has actively participated in the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), contributing China's solutions to the sustainable development of the global ocean. As June 8, the 18th World Oceans Day, approaches, the Global Times is launching a special subseries, "Fishing Together," which chronicles stories of fishery cooperation between China and various countries. This is the second installment of the subseries.
The sea breeze swept across the Zhoushan archipelago in East China's Zhejiang Province, carrying a salty tang and the fresh scent of the ocean. Sebastianus Ken Chandra, an Indonesian student at the College of Fisheries and Life Science of Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU), set foot on this coastal land with curiosity written across his face.
Earlier this month, under the organization of SHOU, Chandra visited the Zhoushan National Distant-Water Fishing Base at the West Pier. There, he took a close look at one of China's largest distant-water fisheries bases, and met crew members who work and live there, especially those from his homeland, Indonesia.
China is a major fishing nation and an active participant in international cooperation in distant-water fisheries. In Zhoushan alone, tens of thousands of foreign crew members from countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar work side by side with Chinese seafarers, sharing the same meals and weathering the same storms. Working for Chinese fishery enterprises, they are, in every sense, part of the extended family of China's distant-water fisheries.
What is life and work like for foreign crew members employed by Chinese companies? With this question and high expectations in mind, Chandra embarked on this journey.
Life‑saving rescues
The sea is generous but it can also be dangerous. In distant-water operations, illness and injury are among seafarers' greatest adversaries. In moments of crisis, the respect and protection afforded to life reveal the true warmth of an industry - and of a country.
In a hospital in Zhoushan, the faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air. As Chandra stepped into the ward, he saw Fikri Muzaini, an Indonesian crew member, sitting up in bed with one leg resting on a blue rehabilitation aid.
"How are you feeling now?" Chandra asked warmly in Indonesian.
"I'm much better now. I've received the best treatment," Muzaini replied with a smile.
The story goes back to March 29, 2026. That day, aboard a Chinese vessel in the waters off Oman, Muzaini slipped and was struck by a sharp pain in his knee. A preliminary examination on board revealed a fractured kneecap, along with torn and displaced ligaments - a serious injury.
In the midst of misfortune, there was one piece of good luck: the vessel's owner, Zhoushan Haili Ocean Fishery Co., Ltd., did not hesitate for a moment. The vessel immediately ceased operations and proceeded back at full speed. Thus began a life-saving relay that crossed borders: from Oman's Duqm Port to a nearby hospital, then a 600-kilometer overnight transfer by road to its capital Muscat, and when it became clear that local medical resources could not support the complex surgery required, the company's leadership made a decisive choice: send the crew member to China. "Local medical resources in Oman were limited, and our captain was dissatisfied, so they sent me here directly, just so I could receive the best possible treatment," Muzaini recalled. On April 16, after overcoming a series of obstacles involving visa applications, shipping routes and more, Muzaini arrived safely in Zhoushan, where Chinese orthopedic specialists successfully performed the surgery. Today, the stiffness in his leg is gradually easing, and doctors have told him that if he continues with rehabilitation, he will soon be able to walk normally again.
At first, Muzaini was frightened, worried that his leg might never recover. It was his Chinese company that never gave up on him, sending him to the best hospital for treatment and caring for him like family. "I'm truly very grateful," he said.
Such life‑saving rescues are not isolated cases.
In May, in the eastern Pacific, a Filipino crew member named Moreto Erwin Salvador, serving aboard a vessel operated by a Chinese company, suddenly fell gravely ill. With swollen legs, vomiting and in critical condition, he faced a medical emergency that far exceeded the limited treatment capabilities available at sea. After receiving the distress call, two Chinese vessels operating nearby immediately altered course. One ship, operated by Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd., moved in at once to provide assistance. Its ship doctor boarded the vessel and carried out emergency treatment, buying precious time for the next stage of care. Another vessel, operated by Zhoushan Pacific Tuna Pelagic Fishery Co., Ltd., quickly transported the crew member to Busan, South Korea, for further treatment, the Global Times learned from Zhoushan Overseas Fisheries Association.
"At the critical moment when our crew member suddenly fell seriously ill, your company quickly extended assistance and made every effort to carry out emergency rescue operations, safeguarding the life and safety of the crew member through your strong sense of responsibility and commitment," wrote Salvador's dispatching company in letters of appreciation sent to the two enterprises.
Homelike care
If the quick-responded rescues at sea are an embodiment of the strength and sense of responsibility of China's distant-water fishing industry, then the small acts of care in everyday life are the quiet threads that bind people together.
At the Zhoushan National Distant-Water Fishing Base, crew members from different countries live and rest while their ships are in port. Some crew members reached by the Global Times said that, the convenient living facilities, thoughtful public services and harmonious atmosphere have helped them find the warmth of home in a foreign land, far from their own.
During his visit, Chandra went from the hospital to the police station and the crew living areas, witnessing firsthand heartwarming scenes of Chinese and foreign people living together as one family.
At the police station at the base, for instance, Chandra came across a themed service day for foreign crew members organized by local immigration authority.
The event was lively: some seafarers were enjoying free haircuts, while others, with the help of volunteer interpreters, were asking about how to get a phone card and learning how to use mobile payment apps. Chandra also saw several Indonesian crew members pick up guitars and sing folk songs from home. Their mellow melodies drifted through the venue, while some Chinese immigration officers sat beside them, listening and clapping their hands to the beat. Songs and applause mingled together, painting a warm, deeply moving scene. Among them, Indonesian crew member Sudirja shared his story. The vessel he serves is well stocked with medicine, offers tasty meals, and provides comfortable living quarters. Moreover, it regularly arranges phone calls between crew members and their families. "The Indonesian crew on board are united and harmonious, and we work very well with the Chinese crew," he told the Global Times.
Another Indonesian crew member, Arihta Damanik, recalled that he came to a Chinese fishing vessel through a job application, and from departure and accommodation to boarding, everything was arranged by the labor service company, leaving him with nothing to worry about. "The facilities on board are very complete, and the beds and living environment are more than satisfactory. The ship has a dedicated chef, and the food suits our Indonesian tastes very well," Damanik told the Global Times.
The working atmosphere on board is relaxed and harmonious as well. Muzaini introduced that, the crew mainly handle inspections, sorting and packing, with a moderate workload. They work three times a day, and spend the rest of the time resting and chatting. Everyone gets along like family. When they are bored, they joke around and play games together, which means they never feel lonely.
Muzaini also talked about his Chinese captain, who treats them like family. Since working together in 2016, the captain has even visited Muzaini's home in Indonesia and has supported him fully in both work and daily life. "Whatever happens, if we have any problems, we just tell him," Muzaini said.
After bidding farewell to the fishermen, Chandra brought to a close his two-day visit to Zhoushan. During the trip, in addition to engaging with foreign crew members, he also visited places such as a local squid exhibition hall. There, he not only witnessed firsthand the standardized and modernized development of China's distant-water fishing industry, but also experienced its warm and people-centered care.
As an international student majoring in agriculture at SHOU, Chandra's future career seems destined to remain closely tied to the vast blue sea. For him, the Zhoushan trip was more than an exploration of China's fishing industry - it was a simple yet vivid encounter with the concept of "building a maritime community with a shared future."
"[This visit] gave me a lot of new and inspiring things," Chandra said. He believes that China's distant-water fishing industry not only supports the upgrading of its own sector, but also creates jobs and builds platforms for workers from around the world. "I hope that in the future, many more countries can also benefit from this industry," he told the Global Times.
At 11:30 am, the valley at Loushan Pass echoes with the sharp sound of a bugle charge.
Battle flags whip in the wind as over 100 actors storm out of the trenches, followed by tourists in unified gray-blue Red Army uniforms, shouting as they rush up the slope. Gunfire and explosions erupt continuously, filling the air with the acrid smell of smoke grenades.
Chen Muyang, a 30-year-old visitor, suddenly felt a lump in her throat as she was running. Not from fear, but from a thought flashing through her mind: "This is exactly how the Red Army charged back then, except they had no smoke effects. For them, it was all real."
This is a daily scene at the Loushan Pass scenic area in Zunyi, Southwest China's Guizhou Province. The immersive experience project "follow the commander to attack Loushan Pass" recreates the smoky battlefield of how the Red Army secured an important victory in 1935 during the Long March. Visitors don military uniforms and immerse themselves in history under the guidance of non-player characters.
According to the China Military, the official news website of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the battle of Loushan Pass was the Red Army's first major victory during the Long March. In 2026, marking the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory, this project unexpectedly became a viral hit on Chinese social media platforms. On short-video platform Douyin, videos of tourists charging uphill routinely garner tens of thousands of likes.
In China, "red tourism" is now shifting away from static visits like reading panels and listening to lectures toward "immersive theater." Some netizens even call these projects "the most suitable cosplay for Chinese people."
Across the country, new red tourism experiences centered on participation and emotional resonance are redefining how people connect with history, some scenic area managers told the Global Times.
'I was part of history'
"Knives out!" This was the caption on a highly popular Douyin video of the Loushan Pass project that Chen came across.
In the video, gunfire thundered and smoke filled the air as tourists charged up the hill with rifles. Inspired by the passionate atmosphere, Chen immediately decided to drive from Chongqing to experience it herself.
After watching the performance from a viewing platform, Chen entered the scenic area, changed into a military uniform, adjusted her cap and received a prop rifle. "The gun was heavier than I expected," she told the Global Times. "The atmosphere hit me instantly."
The real immersion began when the "commander" appeared. An actor playing a Red Army officer stood before the formation, first explaining the safety rules and the itinerary in detail. Then, as other actors delivered rousing pre-battle speeches in authentic dialects, all of the visitors listened intently.
As the group advanced along the mountain path, the first "blockade line" suddenly appeared. Fireworks and explosions erupted, with deafening gunfire coming from all directions. Visitors instinctively ducked and followed the commander's orders to push through quickly. After breaking through, the team continued along the trail. Publicity teams with clappers appeared along the roadside, chanting rhythmic verses to boost morale.
Chen said the walk wasn't tiring, but the tension kept building. "You knew a 'battle' was coming, but you didn't know when. The anticipation was agonizing."
The real fight then began. Visitors were split into two groups and led along different routes into the battlefield. Gunfire intensified, explosions detonated near their feet and thick smoke made it hard to see. Halfway up the slope, Chen gasped for breath. Leaning against a rock and watching others push on, a thought struck her: "We're already this exhausted under modern conditions. Carrying rifles, wearing straw sandals and starving, how did the Red Army do it?"
That thought pierced her heart.
Finally, amid earth-shaking battle cries, the team captured the "enemy" position at Loushan Pass. Actors playing captured warlord soldiers were escorted out, and the visitors erupted in cheers. Loushan Pass has been taken.
Chen said the 40-minute experience was more unforgettable than any history book she had read.
"In school, the Long March spirit felt distant, just an exam point. But that afternoon in the valley, I felt I was part of history, close to the people whose names are in our textbooks," Chen said.
Thousands of visitors like Chen come every day during peak season. Yao Dihua, operations director of the company managing the scenic area, told the Global Times that participants include young people from other cities, parents with children, nostalgic middle-aged and elderly visitors, and corporate team-building groups.
According to Yao, the scenic area also offers other immersive Long March experiences. Visitors put on Red Army uniforms, shoulder rifles and retrace the grueling route: breaking through the first blockade line by blasting bunkers, crossing mountains, ambushing enemy sentries and breaking through heavy fire outside Zunyi to achieve victory, all while embodying the spirit of unity, mutual assistance and fearlessness in the face of hardship.
Additional activities include cooking Red Army-style meals over open fires and making traditional straw sandals. Once essential footwear during the Long March, straw sandals symbolize the unity between the military and civilians, as well as the resilience of ordinary people supporting the revolution. By handcrafting a pair themselves, visitors personally connect with this revolutionary legacy and help pass on the "straw sandal spirit" to future generations, Yao said.
Product speaks to the times
Yao noted that his team had been experimenting with immersive formats for 20 years, but audience interest was low back then. In recent years, as social trends shifted, people of all ages have become more open to such experiences.
In Zunyi, a former revolutionary base, immersive experiences now let visitors engage with history in a more direct and profound way.
Policy support is also strengthening. In March, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and General Office of the State Council issued opinions on revitalizing old revolutionary bases, encouraging integrated cultural-tourism development, cross-regional collaboration, premium routes and improved infrastructure.
Yao said that in the traditional red tourism, many young people enter memorial halls and don't know how to connect with the exhibits. Knowledge is objective, but emotion is subjective. You can't force someone to feel moved.
What if visitors become the extras? The "follow the commander to attack Loushan Pass" originally focused on watching large-scale performances. After adding immersive elements in May 2025, it quickly became a phenomenon, exploding in popularity in 2026, Yao said.
"Key design elements include strong ritual, high-density sensory stimulation, and the power of collective action. These precisely address contemporary needs: authentic physical experiences to counter digital virtuality, and the desire to be emotionally drawn into history rather than be lectured," said Yao.
Similar immersive experiences are also emerging across the country. In Ganzhou, East China's Jiangxi Province, a large-scale red cultural tourism epic about stories of the Long March starting point has been performed over 619 times, attracting more than 338,500 viewers, according to the Ganzhou radio and television station. In Honghu, Central China's Hubei Province, an immersive project has transformed 81 revolutionary historical sites into a vast open-air theater without walls, according to the Jingzhou Daily.
In Linyi, East China's Shandong Province, a similar "follow the commander to attack the county town" experience reenacting the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has also gone viral.
According to Yan Jisuo, deputy general manager of Linyi tourist attraction, most visitors are young people or families with children. Some foreign tourists have also taken part. "We occasionally see interpreters assisting them. Although they may not fully grasp every detail, they generally understand the storyline and have given positive feedback," Yan told the Global Times.
Yan added that despite the activity's high physical demands, elderly tourists, including one visitor in a wheelchair, have also actively participated.
"We previously received a 90-year-old veteran from Southwest China's Sichuan Province, who is our oldest participant to date," Yan said. "He fought in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) and spoke highly of our project. He said, 'You have done an excellent job. Young people today need to experience this so that they understand the sacrifices made during wartime.'" Balancing entertainment and serious education
Despite widespread acclaim, some have expressed concern that entertainment elements might undermine the solemnity of revolutionary history. Yan explained that, leveraging the region's rich revolutionary cultural heritage and its advantages as a film and television production base, their professional team has ensured the historical accuracy of both the storylines and the special effects.
Yan noted that the tourist area is located in Yinan County, one of the important birthplaces of revolutionary spirit, and has been a classic red tourism destination for 16 years. Many anti-war films and TV productions have been filmed on site.
"Between immersive experiences and solemn history, we have our own principles to maintain the right balance," Yao said.
When updating the project, the team spent considerable time on historical research, verifying the routes of the charges, the organization of the Red Army units, the enemy's firepower deployment and even the details of uniforms, all in an effort to achieve historical accuracy. For live combat performances, over 100 real guns and artillery pieces used during that era are employed. Each performance fires more than 500 rounds of ammunition and over 100 shells, with a cast of more than 200 people.
Yao also noted that the scenic area has created over 130 local jobs, 35 of which went to impoverished households, with more than 500 performances held annually. He believes this represents a form of passing on the red spirit that also benefits the people.
These immersive red tourism projects continue to evolve. Yao revealed that in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, the scenic area will plan special events, including enhanced visual effects for battle scenes, expanded cultural interaction and more photo-worthy installations.
"Our ultimate goal remains to let visitors feel, through the experience, that this is not a game, it is a chapter of history worth remembering," Yao said.
Every day, gunfire echoes through Loushan Pass valley. New groups of visitors don props, join the ranks and follow the "commander" through the smoke-filled "battlefield."
"I think the deepest value of immersive red experiences is that they allow everyone to become a 'feeler of history.' And feeling is often the first step toward true understanding. This approach is making better red education possible," Chen said.
