Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 3 hrs ago
Chinese Hometowns Use AI and Diaspora Links to Take Short Dramas Overseas
Shantou, Quanzhou and Ruian are building support for AI-made short dramas aimed at viewers overseas.
The three cities in China have strong links to overseas Chinese communities, whose business and cultural networks can help creators reach foreign markets.
The push is part of a wider effort to export digital culture, including online literature, screen productions and games.
In Shantou, local support helps companies cover computing costs and produce, translate and distribute AI dramas.
Quanzhou is drawing on its overseas Chinese history and stories, while a local production park offers filming facilities, training and links to foreign distributors.
In Ruian, creators get training and access to overseas publishing channels, and a new pilot platform will help record and manage AI-related copyright.
The cities plan to use overseas networks and platforms to widen distribution, though the story does not set out a timetable.
Chinese hometowns are using artificial intelligence and overseas Chinese networks to help short dramas reach international audiences.
Shantou is supporting AI production with computing infrastructure and subsidies, while Quanzhou and Rui’an are building creative and distribution networks.
A Shantou company reported that one overseas version of a short drama passed 100 million views in North America in three days.
Quanzhou is developing stories based on its overseas Chinese history and has partnered with an Indonesian short-drama platform.
Rui’an is training creators, developing AI comics-to-drama projects and supporting copyright registration and trading.
- Who
- Companies, creators and local authorities in Shantou, Quanzhou and Rui’an are developing and distributing AI short dramas.
- What
- They are using AI, local stories, support policies and overseas Chinese networks to help digital dramas reach foreign markets.
- When
- The article describes initiatives and results from 2015 through October 2026, including projects launched in 2025 and 2026.
- Where
- Shantou in Guangdong, Quanzhou in Fujian and Rui’an in Zhejiang, with overseas markets including North America and Southeast Asia.
- Why
- To develop digital cultural industries and help Chinese stories and productions reach overseas audiences.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yingqi Animation began developing overseas markets, according to its CEO.
Zhang Zhihan returned from studying in the United Kingdom and founded Daogu Culture Media in Shantou.
Quanzhou’s Baiqi Cross-Strait Micro-Drama Industrial Park officially opened.
Rui’an Media Group agreed to work with Yingqi Animation on an AI comic-drama export base.
Shantou’s Overseas Chinese Pilot Zone released its “Ten Measures on Tokens” support package.
Rui’an and China Copyright Service Co. launched a county-level pilot for an AIGC rights platform.
- Shantou company
- Daogu Culture Media
- North American drama version
- More than 100 million views in three days
- Shantou support
- Eligible companies may receive token vouchers covering up to 40% of actual computing costs, capped at 1 million yuan a year
- Quanzhou film park
- 79 on-location sets
- Rui’an training camp
- 63 AIGC video works completed
- Rui’an short-drama output
- Nearly 500 works incubated so far
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What people are saying
The advantages of the Overseas Chinese Pilot Zone lie in computing power, technology and services.
Quanzhou’s advantage is not just that it is a good place to film, but that it has stories.
European and American markets focus on fantasy and adventure, while Southeast Asian markets offer more works featuring Chinese-style fantasy and comeback stories.