Chinese content shines at 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market

Chinese television shows and productions have made a splash at the ongoing 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market (ATF) which opened at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore on Wednesday.

Running through Friday, the event brought together production companies, distributors, buyers and investors from some 60 countries and regions to explore the latest business opportunities and market trends.

The China Pavilion has proven to be a big draw at this year's forum. Spanning 204 square meters, the pavilion showcases 135 works, including TV dramas, films, animation, variety shows and documentaries produced by major broadcasters such as China International Television Corporation (CITVC), Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and numerous film and animation companies.

Chinese content has drawn significant attention from international buyers at the event, with a steady stream of visitors engaging in consultations and negotiations at the booth.

"We are basically focusing on Chinese series, because Chinese drama is big content in our country. We used to show Chinese dramas in the past, mainly historical dramas. And they used to do very well. Mainly we are more attracted with the uniqueness, the culture, the costume and the storyline. And the production is always top notch," said Ilham Khalfan, director of Azam Media from Tanzania.

"We have seen increasing participation from China over the past few years. Chinese content in terms of production value has really elevated over the last few years. And it's more and more appealing to the overseas market. For example, the southeast Asian market is watching a lot more dramas from China. So overall, I think China content is in a very good position globally and we believe that in the next two, three years, China content will have the potential to go further in terms of its appeal and in terms of its influence on the global content stage," said Yeow Hui Leng, Group Project Director at RX Global, a global events organizer.

Chinese content shines at 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"