Convention with cutting-edge technology will be out of this world

Visitors to the China Science Fiction Convention 2025, to be held from Friday to Monday at Beijing's Shougang Park, will be greeted by a dazzling blend of cutting-edge technology and boundless imagination.

The event's opening ceremony will set the tone with a fusion of virtual reality, immersive 3D projections, and a lifelike bionic robot named Huanhuan engaging in witty banter with a human host.

Among the crowd-pleasers will be an 8-meter-tall sci-fi themed installation at the No 3 Blast Furnace South Square. Covering about 70 square meters, it combines elements of space exploration and ecology, offering a visually stunning blend of science fiction and trendy culture that's set to become a permanent "internet-famous photo spot" in western Beijing.

The Baidi (literally white emperor) aerospace fighter — a star exhibit from the Chinese sci-fi IP "Nantianmen Project" — will attract crowds eager to explore its sleek design and futuristic lore. Such spectacles exemplify the convention's theme — Science Dreams, Creating the Future — and offer a tantalizing glimpse into humanity's next frontier.

Now in its ninth edition, the China Science Fiction Convention has evolved into a premier platform bridging science fiction, technology and culture since its 2016 debut.

Hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology, this year's event will transform Shougang Park, a former steel mill turned cultural hub, into a playground where industrial grit meets sci-fi glamour.

Ni Zhiyu, head of the science popularization department of the China Association for Science and Technology, says that the China Science Fiction Convention aims to inspire innovation consciousness and a scientific spirit across society, nurturing the soil for innovative culture.

Beijing's commitment to nurturing its sci-fi industry has gained remarkable fruit. Since 2020, the city has rolled out three rounds of policies to boost innovation, resulting in a thriving ecosystem.

The capital now hosts nearly 800 hi-tech enterprises, which generated 48 billion yuan ($6.61 billion) in revenue by the end of last year, accounting for 40 percent of China's total sci-fi output.

In the last four years, the convention has introduced about 10 industrial policies, published more than 30 professional reports, organized nearly 100 professional forums, and facilitated the implementation of some 100 projects, drawing global sci-fi enthusiasts, tech innovators, and industry leaders.

Shijingshan district, the sector's core, has emerged as a powerhouse with more than 230 companies, nearly a third of Beijing's total, spearheading advancements in artificial intelligence, gaming and immersive storytelling. The district has established more than 10 common technical service platforms such as light field imaging, 3D cloud rendering, and 5G+artificial reality development, focusing on enhancing the collaborative capabilities of the industrial chain.

Having implemented 35 science fiction special projects such as "Intelligent Creation Technology Research and Application for Sceneby-Scene Scripts for Science Fiction Films", the district has achieved accelerated upgrading of key core technologies, and ensured autonomous control of technologies like spatial audio.

In addition, it has been promoting the demonstration and use of new products, established more than 20 science fiction application scenarios, including the No 1 SoReal Science Fiction Park and the Migu Metaverse Digital-Real Integration Base, and built the country's first digital experience complex, creating a new "store in the front, factory in the back" model in Shougang Park.

This year's convention will be noted for its integration of academia, industry and public engagement. Eleven high-profile forums will tackle topics like sci-fi and artificial intelligence, life sciences and futuristic transport, featuring luminaries, including authors Liu Cixin and Wang Jinkang alongside some 40 international experts.

For casual attendees, the real magic will be in the hands-on experience.

The 2025 Fantasy Adventure Season will offer something for all ages: aviation-themed exhibits to spark curiosity about space exploration, student tech projects to showcase youthful ingenuity, and virtual reality zones to transport visitors to alien worlds. Generative AI will dazzle with hyperrealistic digital humans, while interactive installations will merge industrial heritage with cosmic wonder. Beyond the flashy tech, the convention will prioritize accessibility. The Sci-Fi innovation journey highlights Shougang's blend of historic architecture and futuristic installations, while themed fashion shows and robot exhibitions will add a dash of glamour.

yangyangs@chinadaily.com.cn