Chengdu hosts China Internet Audio & Video Convention for 13th consecutive year, building eastern hub for global audio & video collaboration

CHENGDU, China, April 16, 2026 (Globe Newswire) — On April 15, the 13th China Internet Audio & Video Convention, hosted by the Chengdu City Government, opened in Chengdu. Held in the same city for 13 consecutive years, this major industry event provides a glimpse into the internationalization of China’s audio and video sector, while also demonstrating Chengdu’s transformation from a cultural tourism destination to a global hub for digital creative industries.

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According to the “China Internet Audio & Video Development Research Report (2026)” released by the China Netcasting Service Association, Chinese streaming applications are steadily expanding their presence in major global markets. In 2025, a total of 26 Chinese apps (including apps from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) ranked in the world’s top 100 by revenue, an increase of 6 from the previous year. In terms of downloads, 31 Chinese apps were in the top 100, an increase of 12 from the previous year. Behind these numbers lies a major reshuffling of content creation paradigms due to changes in technology. In 2025, major video platforms churned out more than 2 billion pieces of AI-generated audiovisual content. That’s an average of more than 60 new uploads per second, an increase of more than 14x year-over-year. More than half of users have encountered AI-generated content, and more than 40% describe it as “new and engaging.” AI-generated short videos and microdramas ranked as the two most popular categories.

“AI is fundamentally reshaping the content supply structure,” said Sun Zhonghuai, vice president of Tencent and chairman of Tencent Online Video, who introduced the concept of “creative squads” at the event. This is a small team of five to 20 people who, through the use of AI tools, can now produce large amounts of content that previously required hundreds of people. From a global perspective, the agility of these “creative forces” is consistent with a push for global expansion. With minimal cost, Chinese creators can now adapt the core narratives of Chinese storytelling to suit the tastes of diverse audiences around the world. This new model is poised to redefine both the cost structure and creative logic of the global content industry.

Cross-border flows of capital and talent are providing real momentum for this transformation. For the first time, the conference introduced an on-campus recruitment fair, with more than 70 companies offering more than 5,000 positions, and AI-related roles emerging as top choices among graduates. Moreover, global industry leaders are increasing their investments in the Chinese market. Tony Zamekowski, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Streaming, Asia Pacific, The Walt Disney Company, reaffirmed that “China has always been one of our most important markets,” and revealed plans to increase investment in local stories in China to bring more original content to the world stage. This stance resonates strongly with the wave of Chinese microdramas that continues to spread overseas. At the same time that overseas players are actively “bringing” Chinese stories, Chinese creators are also leveraging the “creative team” model to “go global.” The convergence of these two forces is reshaping the global audio and video industry landscape.

Since its first edition in 2013, the competition has continuously revitalized Chengdu’s digital culture and creative industry, while the city’s development trajectory reflects how Chinese cities compete on the global cultural stage. The appearance of blockbuster works such as Ne the 2 and my sweet homealong with the establishment of studios and production companies led by famous directors and performers, shows that Chengdu is building a healthy industrial chain spanning creative development, filming and production, and post-production visual effects.

With the support of national platforms such as the China (Chengdu) Network Audiovisual Industry Base, the National UHD Video Innovation Center, and the National Radio and Television Bureau Research Institute for Virtual Reality Audiovisual Technology Innovation and Application, Chengdu maintains a national leading position in fields such as ultra-high-definition production and virtual filming. In 2025, the city’s core digital culture and creative industry will have a total revenue of RMB 413.97 billion, an increase of 8.3% over the previous year, and its comprehensive industrial strength will rank among the top in the country.

“Chengdu is a city full of creativity. Beyond pandas, Ne Za has become a new cultural symbol. Both are truly inspirational,” said Vikram Channa, vice president of Warner Bros. Discovery. His remarks capture the city’s unique cultural story, from traditional intellectual property to digital native content, from geographic symbolism to technology-enabled creative ecosystem. As the global audio & video industry undergoes a major AI-driven transformation, Chengdu, hosting this flagship event for the 13th consecutive time, is playing a pivotal role in reshaping the global audio & video landscape, attracting international capital and building an interactive channel that can deliver local content to a global audience.

Source: Chengdu City Government

Contact: For media only: Contact person: Mr. Hou, Phone: 86-10-63074558