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China's first fully AI-generated feature length animation set for release

China

China

China

China's first fully AI-generated feature length animation set for release

2026-02-11 17:53 Last Updated At:02-12 02:17

China is set to release its first fully artificial intelligence generated content (AIGC) animation film at the end of this month, marking another milestone in the country's rapidly growing film industry, with the high-tech production greatly shortening overall production times and paving the way for future creations.

Titled "The Reunion Journey," the film will hit theaters on February 28 and tells the compelling story of a pair of panda siblings overcoming challenges and hardships before finally enjoying a long overdue reunion.

Produced by the China Media Group (CMG), the movie is based on real-life giant pandas "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan Yuan," which were gifted by the Chinese mainland to Taiwan in 2008.

The film follows the moving tale of an emotional reunion journey involving male panda Tuan Zai and his younger sister Yuan Niu, highlighting the traditional values of unity and self-reliance.

As China's first theatrical animation produced entirely with AI, the film utilizes CMG's large model for media content, shortening the production time of a conventional animated film from between three to five years down to just one year.

At a press conference and launch event for the film's release on Tuesday, a video of children from both sides of the Taiwan Strait singing the film's theme song was played, conveying the ardent aspiration for reunion of people across the Strait.

A number of film-related products were also unveiled, all of which capture the culture of reunion.

Some of the movie's box office revenue will be donated to public welfare initiatives supporting national reunification, according to producers.

China's first fully AI-generated feature length animation set for release

China's first fully AI-generated feature length animation set for release

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called for a comprehensive push in the technological innovation, industrial growth and application of artificial intelligence (AI) to foster new quality productive forces and promote high-quality development.

Li made the remarks while presiding over a State Council group study session focused on AI development.

China must understand AI development trends accurately, Li said, encouraging breakthroughs across the entire chain, and for broad implementation in diverse scenarios to unlock the potential of the technology in an improved manner.

Li urged efforts to map out forward-looking strategies for new technologies and pathways, push for large-scale and commercial applications, better coordinate key resources ranging from data to computing power and electricity supply, expand international technology exchange, and strengthen AI governance with improvements to laws, policy frameworks, application standards and ethical guidelines.

Additionally, China should build an open and inclusive environment, and cultivate a larger multi-skilled talent pool, Li said.

Zhou Bowen, head of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, delivered a briefing at the session. Vice premiers Ding Xuexiang and Zhang Guoqing, along with State Councilor Wu Zhenglong, also participated in the discussions.

Chinese premier calls for comprehensive push in AI innovation, application

Chinese premier calls for comprehensive push in AI innovation, application

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