At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), an eight-member Serbian media delegation visited Beijing from May 7 to 10. The delegation consisted of senior journalists and news videographers from Radio Television of Serbia, Tanjug News Agency, Info TV, and RTV Pink.
Coordinated by the BPAFFC, the delegation visited the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts (NACTA), Kuaishou Technology, Mutianyu Great Wall, and the Summer Palace. Through their lenses, they captured vivid scenes of Beijing’s high-quality development and explored the profound heritage of traditional Chinese culture.
NACTA: uncovering modern technologies for preserving national treasure
The delegation was greeted with a performance by students at the NACTA. With great passion and superb skills, the students showcased the styles of different opera genres, earning rounds of applause. Afterwards, the delegation visited the classroom for basic martial arts in the Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera Department, documenting up close the rigorous training behind the saying “a minute on stage takes ten years of practice off stage.” In the exhibition hall of the AI Creative Research Center, the delegation learned about the NACTA’s achievements in digital preservation of opera, as well as AI-assisted teaching and artistic creation. The journalists showed great interest in how the NACTA leverages modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital tools to empower opera teaching and preservation, capturing through their lens these scenes of fusion between technology and art.
Yin Xiaodong, President of the NACTA, took a joint interview with the journalists. Yin elaborated on the academy’s practices in talent cultivation, artistic creation, international exchanges, the use of technology, etc. He hoped that the media delegation’s coverage would present the charm of Chinese opera to more Serbian people and promote mutual learning between Chinese and Serbian civilizations.
Kuaishou Technology: feeling the pulse of digital living
The delegation toured the live rooms, control rooms, corporate culture exhibition area, and lifestyle service area of Kuaishou Technology, a leading content community and social platform in China. In the green-screen live room, the delegation members sat in front of the camera to get hands-on with the virtual livestreaming technology and immersive interaction powered by digital technology. In the cultural and creative display area, they were attracted by a wide array of merchandise, capturing the vivid scene through their lenses.
The delegation gained a detailed understanding of the platform’s basic operations and the development direction of its overseas version. The new models of integration between China’s digital technology and real economy made a deep impression on them.
Mutianyu Great Wall: experiencing the unique charm of a world wonder
The delegation walked up the winding stone steps of Mutianyu Great Wall, learning about the wall’s history, architectural features, and protection achievements. Standing on the watchtowers, the journalists gazed into the distance and captured the magnificent views of the cultural World Heritage site from various perspectives.
Summer Palace: admiring the incredible craftsmanship in breathtaking scenery
The delegation strolled along the shores of Kunming Lake, appreciating the beauty of Longevity Hill, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge. Immersed in the harmonious blend of lush hills and lucid waters, they were fascinated by the majesty and elegance of the Chinese imperial garden. The delegation closely observed the elaborate procedures of antique furniture restoration, paused to check out the painted motif restoration site, and listened to the stories behind the carved beams and painted pillars.
From exploring the digital frontiers to touring the World Heritage site, the delegation not only documented through their lenses the practices of Beijing in advancing Chinese modernization, but also got a taste of the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture. This media tour will undoubtedly present Beijing’s development achievements to more Serbian people and send out a positive signal of China-Serbia friendship.
