China's science fiction genre has come full circle, from near-banishment to being embraced both by the government and the public. This transformation was exemplified by the recent hosting of Worldcon, the world's most prominent science fiction gathering, in China for the first time. The event took place in the newly opened Chengdu Science Fiction Museum,…China’s science fiction genre has come full circle, from near-banishment to being embraced both by the government and the public.
“In its nature, part of sci-fi is talking about the present,” says award-winning author Chen Qiufan. “It takes advantage of talking about outer space or being set in different times but reflects the human condition right now.” However, the global success of the “Three-Body” series catapulted Chinese science fiction into the spotlight, as it began to address themes resonating with the technological age. The rapid pace of digital change in China and the ubiquity of technology in daily life have further driven the genre’s relevance.
The successful hosting of Worldcon 2023 and the establishment of the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum signal a promising future for Chinese science fiction, bridging the past, present, and future in an inspiring way. Rihanna has made history once again. Her Super Bowl Halftime Show now holds the Guinness world record for the most concurrent viewers during a halftime show in Super Bowl history. The former holder of this accolade was Katy Perry for her 2015 halftime show performance. Rihanna's performance was watched by a record-breaking 121.017 million concurrent…