The three-day 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit concluded in Wuzhen Town of east China's Zhejiang Province on Friday with fruitful outcomes, including display of the latest global developments in the internet sector and new technologies, as well as products in the field of artificial intelligence.
Over 1,800 participants from more than 130 countries and regions attended the event online or offline. The participants, including experts and leaders, had in-depth discussions on key topics such as the Global Development Initiative, the digital economy, and innovation and governance of artificial intelligence technology, contributing their wisdom and efforts to promoting global internet governance and development.
As a highlight of the summit, the Light of Internet Expo brought together 665 companies and institutions from 53 countries and regions to display the latest global developments in the internet sector and new technologies, as well as products in the field of artificial intelligence.
"We have set up a platform for communication at the World Internet Conference, where we had extensive discussions on the development of the global Internet and the Internet governance. And the expo serves to display to the public the Internet technology achievements, including their applications, which is also a way to popularize Internet knowledge," said Wu Hequan, academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, in an interview with China Central Television on the sidelines of the event.
"We've seen applications and practical use of many advanced technologies at the expo this year. Every industry should actively embrace Internet technology, which in turn will lead the entire industry to keep upgrading itself. I believe that this is one the most important purpose of the conference for the industry," said Liu Chunxi, a participant.
During the conference themed "Embracing a people-centered and all-for-good digital future - building a community with a shared future in cyberspace", outstanding cases on building a community with a shared future in cyberspace were released, and World Internet Conference pioneering science and technology awards were unveiled.
In addition, four new projects were introduced, and reports on the Internet development in China and the world were released, showcasing China's achievements in internet development and providing reference for others to promote Internet development.
"We've seen many China-funded firms coming to Malaysia to help us set up data centers. They also help Malaysia to achieve a very good leading position in Southeast Asia," said Teo Nie Ching, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Communications.
World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit concludes with fruitful results
An industry observer said that 2026 is poised to be a "year of sequels and cultural stories" in global animation, following a strong 2025 where such films dominated box offices worldwide.
With heavyweights like Toy Story 5, Minions 3, and China's perennial favorite Boonie Bears set for release, along with culturally rooted productions such as The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang, the coming months are expected to draw large audiences and reinforce animation's central role in cinema.
This optimism is built on a solid foundation from the previous year.
Looking back at China's film market in 2025, animated features emerged as a powerful driving force. Four of the year's top 10 highest-grossing films were animations, three of which were domestic productions.
Total animation revenue exceeded 25 billion yuan (around 3.58 billion U.S. dollars), capturing nearly 50 percent of the annual box office. As the new year unfolds, the animation sector continues to shine with promising highlights.
A key trend driving this momentum is the surge of sequels from major franchises.
"One notable trend is the abundance of sequels to classic animated films, particularly from Hollywood. Several iconic series are releasing new installments, making 2026 a year of animated sequels. Given their strong IP foundation, these sequels are expected to attract more audiences' attention and achieve solid box office results," said Hu Jianli, secretary general of the Chinese Film Critics Society.
Alongside these international sequels, domestic animation IPs are also deepening their influence and expanding their reach. The annual Boonie Bears series will welcome its latest installment, while the popular TV series The Immortal Ascension is set for its big-screen debut.
"It's fair to say that the Boonie Bears series has maintained the most consistent quality among domestic animated film franchises over the years. Its expansion from television to movies, merchandise, and theme parks represents a fully developed industrial chain, greatly strengthening the IP's presence in the public consciousness. As for The Immortal Ascension, it's the first time that the animation IP is adapted for the big screen, which naturally generates exceptional attention—especially following the successful live-action web series last year. If this first animated film adaptation succeeds, it has the potential to become a major film IP in its own right," said Hu.
Beyond the reliance on established franchises, another significant creative trend is the growing number of animated films drawing inspiration from China's rich classical literature and historical epics. This approach aims to connect with audiences through deeply rooted cultural narratives.
A leading example is a prominent Chinese animation studio Light Chaser Animation's upcoming "The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang", which dramatizes the early power struggles from the famed historical period.
"We are seeing a clear increase in animated films adapted from classic Chinese novels and myths. Light Chaser Animation Studios' 'New Culture Series' has performed exceptionally well in our animated film market—for example, 30,000 Miles from Changan earned over 1.8 billion yuan (around 257.98 million U.S. dollars) at the box office. This series has truly succeeded in creatively transforming and innovatively developing China's outstanding traditional culture for the big screen, while also resonating emotionally with today's young audiences through its storytelling and character adaptations," said Hu.
Beyond sequels and adaptations rooted in traditional culture, original animated films are also carving out their space with unique concepts and distinctive styles, showcasing further creative possibilities.
Titles such as Arco, a 2025 animated science-fantasy film, and Pixar's Hoppers exemplify this trend of innovation.
"I believe animated films will remain a major force in the global box office in 2026. The worldwide top-grossing film of 2024 was Inside Out 2, and in 2025 it was China's Ne Zha 2. So I'm confident that animated films will once again rank among the highest-grossing releases globally this year," Hu said.
Animated films set to dominate 2026 global box office with strong lineup
