China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 91 Week of 9 March 2026
(1) Oscar nominee Chalamet embraces local life, culture during movie tour in China
Timothée Chalamet immersed himself in Chinese culture during his first promotional tour for the Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme.
(2) China’s small county pioneers the film studio of tomorrow
Deqing County’s Moganshan AI Film City pioneers virtual production with LED screens and robotic arms for cost-effective, safe filming, drawing firms and talent while spurring a national wave of high-tech studios in places like Qingdao and Yongchuan.
(3) RTHK signs MOU with Malaysia to deepen media ties and co-produce cultural program
RTHK has signed an MOU with Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications in Kuala Lumpur to boost media ties. The deal focuses on joint cultural and tourism content to drive visitor exchanges and strengthen Hong Kong-ASEAN links under the Belt and Road Initiative.
(4) Australian Singer Troye Sivan talks China fandom and collabs
Penfolds has appointed Troye Sivan as creative partner to fuse wine with music and fashion, launching a limited-edition Bin 389 design that leverages his huge Chinese fanbase and aligns with the brand’s booming sales in key markets.
(5) China’s state news media issues security warning over OpenClaw amid social media frenzy
OpenClaw, nicknamed “crayfish” in China for its logo, has exploded in popularity as an autonomous AI agent that executes tasks beyond mere usage as a chatbot. Amid Weibo buzz, Xinhua issued risk warnings, while authorities flag security issues and Shenzhen offers up to 2 million yuan subsidies despite vulnerabilities.
(6) China’s 1st whole-process AI-generated animated feature film tells cross-Straits reunion story through pandas
The Reunion Journey, the first full AIGC animated feature film, uses pandas Tuantuan and Yuanyuan to tell a cross-straits reunion story while slashing production costs and time through precise AI control of expressions and interactions.
(7) DJ Snake to headline French May Arts Festival 2026
DJ Snake will headline the 33rd French May Arts Festival in Hong Kong in 2026, opening the two-month celebration of French culture. The global DJ, known for collaborations with Justin Bieber, BLACKPINK’s LISA, Jung Kook, and others, boasts over 52 million monthly Spotify listeners and 40 billion streams.
(8) King Gnu brings genre-blending sound to Hong Kong for first time this May
King Gnu will make their Hong Kong debut at AsiaWorld-Arena on 29-30 May with a 360-degree central stage setup for their “CEN+RAL Tour 2026”.
(9) Entertainment Expo Hong Kong Shines on the Centre Stage, Eight Signature Events Unite Global Film and Entertainment Forces
Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 (15 March – 19 April) features eight major events like the 30th FILMART, 50th HKIFF, HKFA, and Asian Film Awards, uniting global stars and innovators in film, TV, music, and digital entertainment under Leon Lai’s ambassadorship.
(10) Chinese Corporate Giant Bytedance’s Tiktok gets green light to stay in Canada, reversing earlier ban
Canada has reversed its 2024 order to shut TikTok’s local operations, allowing ByteDance’s app to continue under new security rules. The shift follows PM Mark Carney’s China visit and tariff deal, with added data protections and minor safeguards for its 16 million Canadian users.
(11) Mayday reschedules Hong Kong concert, adds 29th March ‘birthday’ show
Taiwanese band Mayday cancelled its March 24 opening concert at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium for the 25th Anniversary Tour, adding a March 29 “birthday” show instead. The Consumer Council received 24 complaints totaling over HK$63,000, mainly from fans facing travel disruptions; full refunds are offered.
(12) Kimura Takuya Withdraws From Hong Kong Film Amid Tensions
Japanese actor Takuya Kimura has pulled out of the third Guryong Fortress: Lawless Zone film due to strained China-Japan ties following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Taiwan comments.
(1) Oscar nominee Chalamet embraces local life, culture during movie tour in China
(Photo Credit: Chen Xi/GT)
Timothée Chalamet, nicknamed “Tian Cha” by Chinese fans, visited China for the first time to promote his Oscar-nominated film Marty Supreme, where he plays an aspiring table tennis champion, engaging deeply in local customs from Chengdu street food to Beijing cultural events.
In Chengdu, he shed his Hollywood image by sipping traditional Sichuan tea, sampling fermented tofu and hot pot, filming park dancers, and even hawking snacks while mingling with seniors. The film, which has earned nine Oscar nods including Best Actor for Chalamet and grossed $274 million globally, features his table tennis journey from shoe clerk to contender.
Beijing activities included a friendly ping-pong match with legend Ma Long, who gifted him an autographed paddle, purchasing a Sun Yingsha poster in fluent Chinese, and praising her skills. At the Beijing Foreign Studies University event, he met ex-NBA coach Stephon Marbury, while the premiere showcased fans teaching him guasha, calligraphy with “rising fortune,” and robots blending martial arts with table tennis that left him and director Josh Safdie stunned.
Cultural critic Yu Jinlong noted the tour boosts Chinese culture’s global appeal, as Chalamet and Safdie embraced TCM, tea rituals, and street life, highlighting Eastern vibrancy ahead of the film’s March 20 mainland release.
News Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356808.shtml
(2) China’s small county pioneers the film studio of tomorrow
(Photo Credit: Zhejiang Daily)
Deqing County in Zhejiang Province has pioneered virtual production at its Moganshan AI Film City, where expansive LED screens and robotic arms enable instant digital backdrops and safe filming of high-risk scenes like car crashes. This innovation slashes costs, cuts physical set needs, and keeps the Versatile BoCai AI base booked solid through June, transforming traditional filmmaking without relying on prior film industry roots.
The county bolsters this ecosystem through targeted policies, attracting over 40 specialized firms in content and tech, alongside a 100-million-yuan fund for project previsualization and one-stop government aid for utilities and renovations. Talent development thrives via partnerships with vocational schools and Perfect World Education, training thousands in digital creativity, while joint labs advance rendering and tracking tech under a new three-year growth plan.
Deqing’s model fits a national wave, mirroring Qingdao’s billion-yuan China Movie Metropolis with its underwater studios and full supply chain, plus Yongchuan’s training hubs that link education to jobs. By capitalizing on AI, geography, and academia, these areas forge efficient, waste-free hubs that redefine cultural industries across China.
News Source:https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0306/c90000-20432530.html
(3) RTHK signs MOU with Malaysia to deepen media ties and co-produce cultural program
(Photo Credit: the Standard)
RTHK and Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications inked a memorandum of understanding in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to deepen media collaboration and cultural exchanges. The pact, signed at Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) headquarters, was officiated by RTHK Director Angelina Kwan Yuen-yee and RTM Director-General Ashwad Ismail.
Key areas include joint productions showcasing Hong Kong and Malaysian culture and tourism to spur bilateral visitor flows. Discussions covered programme swaps, co-productions and talent training, aligning with Belt and Road goals to foster people-to-people ties and Hong Kong’s ASEAN connectivity.
Kwan affirmed RTHK’s backing for government ASEAN outreach, building on prior MOUs with Indonesian and Malaysian broadcasters. These partnerships expand RTHK’s global footprint, elevate Hong Kong media and amplify cultural influence across Southeast Asia and Belt and Road regions.
RTHK plans further ASEAN media alliances, positioning Hong Kong as a gateway to share national and local stories while promoting Chinese culture worldwide.
(4) Australian Singer Troye Sivan talks China fandom and collabs
(Photo Credit: Penfolda)
Penfolds, the iconic Australian wine brand, has enlisted singer-songwriter Troye Sivan as its latest creative partner following Nigo, tapping his global appeal, especially among younger fans, to blend music, fashion, and luxury. Sivan, known for Grammy-nominated albums like Bloom and a massive Chinese following (160.7 million Xiaohongshu views, 1.56 million Weibo followers), debuted a limited-edition design for Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz during Paris Fashion Week. This move aligns with Treasury Wine Estates’ 17% profit surge in 2025, driven by strong Penfolds sales in China and the U.S.
Sivan emphasized Penfolds’ 180-year heritage as a key draw, reimagining wine as a communal ritual for shared memories, much like gatherings with friends. In interviews, he described the collaboration as a joyful, trust-based process inspired by human connections, with the magnum bottle evoking nostalgic moments. His rare fusion of artistry across fields, as noted by CMO Kristy Keyte, refreshes the legacy house for his generation without diluting its essence.
Despite not touring China since 2019, Sivan maintains a “deep” bond with fans there, stemming from early YouTube-driven TV appearances and vivid memories of family trips. He actively translates English posts for Weibo engagement, fueling anticipation for his fourth album on queer themes, while expressing hopes to return amid ongoing music work.
This partnership reflects a broader trend of non-fashion brands adopting celebrity creative directors to attract Gen Z, positioning Penfolds as a cultural icon in key markets like China, where its growth continues to outpace global averages.
News Source: https://jingdaily.com/posts/troye-sivan-talks-china-fandom-and-collabs
(5) China’s state news media issues security warning over OpenClaw amid social media frenzy
(Photo Credit: VCG)
OpenClaw, an autonomous AI agent dubbed “raising crayfish” due to its logo, exploded in popularity on Chinese social media Sunday, trending heavily on Sina Weibo. Xinhua News Agency introduced the tool on its WeChat account, accompanied by a risk warning.
The open-source project integrates multi-channel communication with large language models, enabling customized AI assistants with persistent memory and proactive task execution. Unlike chat-focused tools like ChatGPT, OpenClaw emphasizes “getting things done,” requiring extensive system permissions to manipulate files and applications. It supports local private deployment.
Tech enthusiast Kevin Lin told the Global Times that OpenClaw is connected to his messaging apps and tools, allowing remote task completion. However, its capabilities depend heavily on the underlying LLM.
Tencent and Xiaomi launched small-scale closed tests last week. Xiaomi restricted its MiClaw (based on MiMo LLM) to invited users only, urging data backups. Nearly 1,000 developers queued at Tencent’s headquarters for installation help, with some charging fees for the service.
Analyst Liu Dingding said the frenzy benefits Chinese tech giants’ cloud and ecosystem services. Authorities, however, flagged risks: the National Administration of State Secrets Protection warned of security threats last week, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued an alert on February 5 about vulnerabilities in default configurations.
Shenzhen’s Longgang district proposed incentives, including up to 2 million yuan ($289,960) rewards for key code contributions in developer communities. While enthusiasm grows, experts urge caution amid potential data leakage and cyberattack risks.
News Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356590.shtml
(6) China’s 1st whole-process AI-generated animated feature film tells cross-Straits reunion story through pandas
(Photo credit: Beijing New United Films)
The Reunion Journey, an animated film featuring pandas Tuantuan and Yuanyuan, gifted from mainland China to Taiwan, explores themes of family, adventure, and cross-straits harmony through the story of separated siblings Tuan Zai and Yuan Niu reuniting after a long journey.
The production team chose pandas for their universal appeal as Chinese cultural icons, avoiding East-West divides while subtly conveying hopes for Taiwan’s return through a gentle narrative. Even antagonistic figures like Grandma Eagle stem from misunderstandings rather than malice, emphasizing inclusivity, shared values, and blood ties that some Taiwanese viewers found realistically touching.
This marks the first full AIGC animated feature meeting theatrical standards, leveraging a self-developed AI platform to slash costs to one-fifth of traditional methods and compress production to five or six months. The technology ensures precise control over expressions and interactions, maintaining human creativity at the core while AI handles execution.
Looking ahead, the model promises rapid sequels and a “theatrical series” format, transforming animation economics from years-long gaps like Ne Zha to half-year iterations, with potential shifts toward segmented distribution strategies.
News Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202603/1356609.shtml
(7) DJ Snake to headline French May Arts Festival 2026
(Photo Credit: French May Arts Festival)
DJ Snake, the French electronic music producer and DJ behind global hits and collaborations with artists such as Justin Bieber, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Future, Travis Scott, Jung Kook, J Balvin, Peso Pluma, Don Toliver, Stray Kids, BLACKPINK’s LISA, and Amadou & Mariam, will headline the 33rd French May Arts Festival in Hong Kong in 2026.
The performance marks the flagship event of the festival, which runs from May to June and celebrates cross-cultural dialogue through visual and performing arts. French Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau Christile Drulhe described DJ Snake as a “French global icon” whose appearance will ignite the festival’s vibrant program, featuring around 100 events across disciplines including heritage and contemporary art, classical music, hip-hop dance, cinema, and circus.
Since its launch in 1993, French May has grown into one of Asia’s largest cultural festivals, drawing over 200,000 visitors annually and establishing itself as an iconic part of Hong Kong’s cultural calendar.
DJ Snake has redefined modern electronic music with a cross-genre catalog, over 52 million monthly Spotify listeners, more than 40 billion streams, and sold-out arenas worldwide.
Venue, ticketing, and the full performer lineup will be announced soon. Fans can get exclusive early access to updates and priority ticketing by following @frenchmayartsfest and @occasionsapac on Instagram or signing up for the French May newsletter at frenchmay.com.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/screen-and-music/article/326121/DJ-Snake-to-headline-French-May-Arts-Festival-2026
(8) King Gnu brings genre-blending sound to Hong Kong for first time this May
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
Japanese rock band King Gnu will bring their massive “CEN+RAL Tour 2026” to Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Arena for two nights on May 29-30, marking their debut in the city with tickets on sale March 9 via KKTIX.
Formed by Daiki Tsuneta, Yu Seki, Kazuki Arai, and Satoru Iguchi, the group fuses rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronics into a “Tokyo New Mixture Style,” skyrocketing to fame with hits like “Hakujitsu” (over 500 million views) and anime ties such as “SPECIALZ” from Jujutsu Kaisen and “TWILIGHT” from Detective Conan.
The shows break convention with a central stage setup amid the arena floor, enabling 360-degree audience immersion that amplifies their signature visual flair and high-energy delivery from every vantage point.
This milestone expands King Gnu’s global reach, thrilling Hong Kong’s J-Rock scene with live renditions of chart-toppers and theatrical production long craved by local followers.
News Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/screen-and-music/article/326170/King-Gnu-brings-genre-blending-sound-to-Hong-Kong-for-first-time-this-May
(9) Entertainment Expo Hong Kong Shines on the Centre Stage, Eight Signature Events Unite Global Film and Entertainment Forces
(Photo Credit: News Center)
Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026, running from March 15 to April 19, unites global film and entertainment leaders through eight flagship events organized by the HKTDC with government support, appointing Leon Lai as ambassador to spotlight Hong Kong as Asia’s creative hub.
The 30th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) from March 17-20 at HKCEC draws over 790 exhibitors from 30+ countries, featuring upgraded Producers Connect with guests like Peter Chan and Janet Yang, plus an expanded AI Hub showcasing tools from Alibaba Cloud and Kling AI alongside workshops via the new AI Academy.
Marking its 50th year, the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) from April 1-12 adopts “50 and Beyond: Framing the Future” theme, with ambassadors Angela Yuen, Tony Wu, Gingle Wang, and Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, a golden jubilee exhibition, and the Asian premiere of “In the Mood for Love in Concert” by the Hong Kong Philharmonic.
Additional highlights include the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards on April 19, 19th Asian Film Awards masterclasses with Zhang Ziyi and Jia Zhangke, Digital Entertainment Summit on animation IP, EntertainmentPulse on AI and streaming, the 24th Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum with 42 diverse projects, and the Microfilm Production Support Scheme awards screening.
(10) Chinese Corporate Giant Bytedance’s Tiktok gets green light to stay in Canada, reversing earlier ban
(Photo Credit: dpa)
Canada has fully reversed a 2024 directive to close TikTok’s Canadian business, permitting ByteDance’s platform to operate with enhanced security measures. Industry Minister Melanie Joly announced the decision Monday after a fresh national security review, scrapping the Trudeau-era order to wind down offices in Toronto and Vancouver.
The came about shortly after PM Mark Carney’s landmark January trip to China, a first in eight years for Canada, where he struck a tariff-relief deal with President Xi Jinping. TikTok commits to “security gateways” and privacy tech to shield Canadian user data from unauthorized access, plus stronger minor protections and third-party audits.
The app boasts 16 million users who will continue supporting local creators and culture, per TikTok. Globally, scrutiny persists: the US recently approved a new entity with Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX investors.
This EU-style oversight preserves jobs while addressing data fears tied to ByteDance’s Chinese roots, diverging from outright bans elsewhere.
News Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3346025/tiktok-gets-green-light-stay-canada-reversing-earlier-ban?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
(11) Mayday reschedules Hong Kong concert, adds 29th March ‘birthday’ show
(Photo Credit: binmusic.ig via Instagram)
Mayday fans are up in arms after the Taiwanese rock band abruptly axed the March 24 opener of their 25th Anniversary Tour at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium. Organizers revealed Monday they would swap it for a March 29 “birthday” concert celebrating the band’s formation, hoping to deliver flawless performances.
The last-minute switch has hit fans hard. Hong Kong’s Consumer Council fielded 24 complaints by Tuesday afternoon totaling over HK$63,000. Sixteen came from overseas visitors who had flown in specially, while locals vented about disrupted plans. The biggest single claim reached HK$6,700, covering flights and hotels.
Tickets for the original March 24, 25, 27 and 28 shows ranged HK$555 to HK$1,855. Cancelled ticketholders get full refunds, but many want organisers to go further. The watchdog reminded them of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance’s stiff penalties, which could go up to HK$500,000 fines or five years in jail, for dodgy practices.
Keep your receipts, consumers were told, just in case. Mayday’s massive draw makes such reshuffles extra painful for devoted followers who’ve shelled out big for the once-in-a-lifetime anniversary shows.
News Source: https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/mayday-concert-cancellation-results-in-24-consumer-council-complaints-over-hk63000-in-claims/#google_vignette
(12) Kimura Takuya Withdraws From Hong Kong Film Amid Tensions
(Photo Credit: Kimura Takuya’s Instagram)
Japanese actor Takuya Kimura withdrew from the third installment of the action film Guryong Fortress: Lawless Zone (also known as Twilight of the Warriors series), despite having accepted the role last year and received the script.
The decision stemmed from deteriorating China-Japan relations, forcing film insiders to make a difficult choice; Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu is set to replace him, with filming scheduled to begin this month.
Tensions escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November 2025 remarks suggesting potential military intervention in a Taiwan contingency, prompting China’s strong response including a travel advisory against Japan and restrictions on rare earth exports.
This has led to cancellations for Japanese artists in China, such as Ayumi Hamasaki’s empty-house Shanghai concert in November 2025, Otsuki Maki being escorted off stage, and recent announcements for cancellations by One Oak Rock, Koda Kumi’s Hong Kong shows, and others.
China’s actions mirror its past “anti-Korea order” post-2016 THAAD deployment, restricting Korean entertainment; analysts view this as a “cultural security policy” against perceived cultural infiltration amid diplomatic conflicts.
News Source: https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/03/09/EYXRXUVPRNBZLMZN2CO7GB76BI/
