Latest news with #ChineseLanguage
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taiwan YA Content Gets Boost as PTS XS, Third Culture, S11 Launch Drama Lab (EXCLUSIVE)
Taiwan's burgeoning youth content sector is getting a major boost as international players join forces to nurture the next generation of Chinese-language storytellers. Third Culture Content (TCC), the Los Angeles and Seoul-based production company, has partnered with Taiwan's S11 Partners and PTS XS to launch 'All Star,' a Chinese-language incubator program targeting creators of young adult content. More from Variety Middle East-Taiwan Action-Comedy 'Masala Boba' Reunites Kleos, Light House at Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE) Taiwan's Vie Vision Pictures Boards Cross-Cultural Action Comedy 'Demon Hunters' at Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE) Taiwan Cinema Takes Global Ambitions to Hong Kong FilMart With Diverse Features and Series The initiative, officially dubbed 'All Star: Teens Drama Development Lab,' kicks off this summer with applications opening June 4. The program represents a strategic play to capture the increasingly valuable Gen Z and Alpha generation markets through authentic local storytelling with global appeal. In a two-phase structure, 30 selected Taiwanese creators will first participate in industry-led masterclasses before four standout projects advance to a six-month development lab working alongside Hollywood veterans. Select projects could potentially move into international co-production in 2026. High-caliber Hollywood mentors include Amy Rardin (producer, Marvel's 'Strange Academy' and 'Echo'), Jessica O'Toole ('American Girl' series, 'Invisible Sister'), and BAFTA winner Debbie Moon ('Wolfblood'). The program also offers an NT$260,000 ($8,600) script development grant per selected project. 'As the YA genre continues to grow globally, it remains relatively nascent in Asia,' said Janice Chua and Sean Dulake, TCC co-founders. 'This partnership offers a unique opportunity to explore and innovate within this space, combining the rich cultural nuances of Taiwan with our expertise in creating universally relatable stories.' The lab builds on established industry relationships, as TCC's Chua and S11's Cora Yim previously collaborated on 'Emerge,' another Taiwan-based development program that incubated five TV series and six features between 2022 and 2024. 'Adolescence is a powerful threshold – full of questions, change, and possibility,' said Yim. 'We're honored to partner with PTS XS and Third Culture Content on this teen drama development lab, giving young Taiwanese storytellers the tools to shape their own teen drama narratives.' PTS XS, which launched in 2024 as Taiwan's first cross-media platform exclusively for viewers aged 3-18, views the collaboration as strategic positioning in the competitive Asian youth content market. 'We are deeply grateful to our partners at Third Culture Content and S11 for their collaboration and expertise,' said Yu Pei Hua of PTS XS. 'Their support is instrumental in bringing this vision to life.' The initiative represents the latest in a series of development programs led by the partners. Yim previously drove Fox Creative Lab in 2018, while Chua and Dulake currently serve as faculty leads for CAPCA (Canada-Asia Pacific Co-Production Accelerator), which develops TV projects for North American distribution. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Guatemalan expat bridges cultures between China, Latin America through social media
Celia Esquivel Salguero hosts a livestreaming for overseas netizens on Wudang Mountain in Shiyan City, central China's Hubei Province, April 27, 2025. (Xinhua) WUHAN (May 19): Celia Esquivel Salguero, from Guatemala, first arrived in China in 2014 as a foreign student of Chinese Language and Literature, and began sharing wide-eyed snippets of her life on Facebook as a simple act of curiosity. Back then, as a student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in central Hubei Province, her posts mostly attracted friends curious about Chinese cuisine, tourist attractions, and the art of writing complex Chinese characters. What started as an online diary for a small circle of friends has, over the past decade, blossomed into a vibrant platform that connects two cultures. Today, at 36, Celia is a Spanish teacher at Wuhan University, where she teaches courses like 'Latin American History and Ideas.' Her Facebook page, Chapina en China, which translates to 'The Guatemalan Girl in China,' has amassed over 300,000 followers. Her livestreams draw audiences of more than 3 million, a testament to how her voice has become a trusted bridge between Latin America and China. These days, her Latin American followers are particularly interested in topics like studying in China, new energy vehicles, and humanoid robots. 'Over the past decade, cultural exchanges between China and Latin America have been like a high-speed train. As a Latin American influencer, I have been fortunate to witness and participate in this journey, recording and witnessing the emotional exchange and cultural collision with my camera and words,' she said. Nearly 15 years in China have left their mark on Celia, so much so that her fluent Mandarin now carries a hint of the Wuhan dialect, thanks in part to her local husband. Looking back on her years in China, Celia feels increasingly at home, not only because she has developed a taste for local Wuhan delicacies, but also because Latin American influences have become increasingly visible in the city. 'When I first arrived in China, avocados, which are common in my hometown, were rarely seen here, and they cost over 20 yuan (about 2.78 U.S. dollars) each. But now, avocados are available in many supermarkets and fruit stores in Wuhan, and many milk tea shops along the streets use avocados as an ingredient for their drinks. The taste of home is now within reach,' Celia said. Celia's role as a cultural ambassador took on new weight during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan in 2020, waves of misinformation swept across international social media. While many foreigners chose to leave, Celia stayed and decided to show the world the Wuhan she knew. Celia Esquivel Salguero and her son pose for photos when enjoying cherry blossoms at Wuhan University in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, March 24, 2025. (Xinhua) Through her live-streams, she showcased daily life amid lockdowns, from grocery shopping to vaccination drives. 'I saw so many rumors about Wuhan on social media. I had to do something,' she said. Her authentic, on-the-ground storytelling helped counter the noise, earning the trust of her followers back home. 'Even now, many Latin American followers still send me Chinese news and ask me to verify it,' Celia said. 'I'm happy to have their trust, and even more pleased that what I do allows people to understand the real China.' Celia believes that China's understanding of Latin America has also deepened over the years. 'Now, Wuhan University and Central China Normal University have many Spanish-language learning students, and Hubei University has even established a Latin American research institute. More and more Chinese people are eager to learn Spanish. With the language as a key, they have opened the door to the Latin American world and enhanced the cultural exchange between China and Latin America,' she added. In January 2023, thanks to Celia's efforts, her alma mater, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, signed a cooperation agreement with Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala — Guatemala's only public university — to launch a student exchange program, paving the way for more frequent academic and cultural exchanges between the two sides. Last summer, Celia visited Guatemala after a gap of five years and was surprised by what she found. Chinese restaurants, milk tea shops, and even supermarkets stocked with Chinese vinegar and dumpling wrappers were now part of the local landscape. She finally fulfilled a long-held wish of making dumplings for her family. Looking to the future, Celia hopes to see more breakthroughs in educational exchanges between China and Latin America. 'I hope more Latin American students will come to China to see and experience the real and lovely China. I also hope more Chinese people and Chinese businesses will enter Latin America and benefit the region through cultural and technological exchanges,' she said. Through the lens of 'Chapina en China,' Celia has not only chronicled her own journey but has helped thousands of others embark on theirs. – Xinhua China expatriates foreigners tourism
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Chinese trade team holds talks with FPCCI officials
LAHORE: A high-level Chinese business delegation, led by Ms Hu Zhuling, President of the Hunan Chamber of Commerce (HCC), held a strategic meeting with the office bearers of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Lahore. Prominent FPCCI officials, including Zain Iftikhar Ch (Regional Chairman/Vice President FPCCI), Zaki Aijaz (Vice President FPCCI), SM Tanveer (Patron-in-Chief UBG/FPCCI), and other senior members, addressed the session and emphasized the need to deepen trade and investment relations between Pakistan and China, particularly with the Hunan province. A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between FPCCI and HCC to enhance bilateral trade, promote economic cooperation, and strengthen industrial and cultural ties between the two regions. The MoU was signed by Zain Iftikhar Ch on behalf of FPCCI and Ms Hu Zhuling on behalf of PHCC. On this occasion, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh emphasized that the collaboration marks a crucial step toward robust economic integration, mutual growth, and stronger people-to-people connections between the two nations. The MoU outlines several key objectives that will serve as the foundation for long-term strategic cooperation. One of the primary goals is to establish a comprehensive platform for bilateral exchange, fostering closer relationships among enterprises, institutions, and civil society organizations in both countries. The agreement also aims to promote investment and facilitate the formation of joint ventures. This will include organizing project matchmaking events and supporting the establishment of representative offices across regions, further enhancing two-way investment flows. A notable aspect of the cooperation is the commitment to enhance the export potential of high-quality Pakistani products by enabling access to the Hunan market. This initiative is expected to boost Pakistan's export volume and elevate the global visibility of its brands. In alignment with the FPCCI's Pakistan-China Women's Development and Employment Initiative, the MoU also focuses on empowering young Pakistani women entrepreneurs. It includes provisions for short-term technical and vocational training programs designed to promote economic independence, improve living standards, and reduce poverty among women. To support industry-specific collaboration, regular trade forums, investment briefings, and product promotion events will be held. A dedicated liaison mechanism will be established to facilitate the exchange of market intelligence, policy updates, and investment opportunities between the two sides. Furthermore, the MoU highlights the importance of cultural and educational cooperation. It will encourage partnerships between universities, promote student exchange programs, and introduce innovative training modules such as 'Chinese Language + Vocational Skills.' These initiatives aim to build a skilled workforce in areas like production, quality control, and management, thereby contributing to Pakistan's industrial growth and global competitiveness. The signing of this MoU between FPCCI and PHCC represents a transformative milestone in bilateral relations and opens new avenues for sustainable economic development, shared prosperity, and enhanced regional cooperation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Zawya
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
The Chinese Embassy in Zambia Holds the 2025 International Chinese Language Day Event
On 16 April, the 2025 International Chinese Language Day Event was successfully held. It was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Zambia and undertaken by the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia (CI-UNZA), under the theme of Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space. Minister Counsellor Wang Sheng and Professor Mundia Muya, Vice-Chancellor of UNZA, attended the event and delivered speeches. More than 100 people participated in the event, including teachers and students from UNZA and representatives of the Chinese community in Zambia. Mr. Wang said that the Chinese language is a cultural gene of the Chinese nation and a treasure of world civilization. China stands ready to strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual learning with Zambia, and jointly uphold multilateralism, global peace and development. It is hoped that the Chinese language learners could serve as envoys of friendship between the two countries, contributing to the building of a higher-level China-Zambia Comprehensive Strategic and Cooperative Partnership and an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Professor Muya thanked China for its strong support for Zambia's cause of education and youth development and expressed happiness that the bilateral relations between the two countries was extended from enhancing political solidarity and economic cooperation to embracing cultural bonds through education and people-to-people exchanges. He said that UNZA is always committed to support the Confucius Institute and the teaching of Chinese language in Zambia. The teachers and students of CI-UNZA performed Chinese folk dance, poetry recitation, Kung Fu and other programs in a lively and warm atmosphere, which received big rounds of applause from the audience. The guests also visited the exhibition stands to participate in activities such as calligraphy, paper cutting and Beijing opera headdress making to enjoy the splendid Chinese culture. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia.
Observer
17-02-2025
- Business
- Observer
Why has Oman chosen to include Chinese in school curriculum?
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has recently introduced Chinese Language as an elective subject in some schools across Muscat and al Dakhiliyah Governorates. Aimed at grades eleven and twelve, this initiative will be supported by specialised instructors for better comprehension. According to the ministry, this move meets Oman's educational strategy and international linguistic frameworks. The ministry noted that despite concerns about job market demand, official data shows increasing Chinese visitors to Oman along with strong business ties. As Oman seeks to attract more Chinese tourists, who contribute significantly to tourism growth, officials see it as a strategic advantage and step to teach Chinese. According to MoE, learning materials include printed and digital resources. Meanwhile, the programme's success will determine its expansion, with plans to train Omani teachers to ensure sustainability. This initiative strengthens cultural and economic relations between Oman and China, preparing students for future opportunities.
