The China Digital Entertainment Conference, the nation's highest-level conference in the digital entertainment field, permanently settles in Guangzhou's Tianhe district, with the 2024 session having kicked off on Aug 2.

This year's conference, focusing on "future technology trends and innovative application scenarios of digital entertainment", welcomed attendees from leading enterprises, prestigious universities, and relevant institutions – including representatives from Peking University, Baidu Inc, Tencent, and Meituan.

The 2024 China Digital Entertainment Conference kicks off at Guangzhou Library in Tianhe district on Aug 2. [Photo by Liu Chang/Yangcheng Evening News]

"Only by constantly promoting the transformation of traditional cultural and entertainment industries to digital upgrading can they adapt to changes in market demand and achieve sustainable development," said Liu Jinhua, chairman of the China Culture and Entertainment Industry Association, at the conference.

Liu added that this conference is an essential gathering of China's digital entertainment industry and a new starting point to promote the deep integration and innovative development of the cultural entertainment industry and digital technology.

The digital entertainment exhibition alongside the conference attracts many spectators. [Photo by Liu Chang/Yangcheng Evening News]

Zeng Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, noted that the conference provided a valuable platform to display achievements, exchange experience, and a new opportunity to strengthen cooperation and exchanges inside and outside the industry.

Guangdong will further promote the innovative applications of digital technology in culture and entertainment and better play the fulcrum role of culture and tourism in enabling high-quality development, Zeng added.

At the exhibition, a visitor takes photos with the digital virtual human presented by Global Digital Creations Holdings Limited. [Photo by Liu Chang/Yangcheng Evening News]

Besides, the Digital Entertainment Industry Alliance was established during the conference to build a platform integrating technology research and development, achievement transformation, and market application, hence boosting the high-quality development of the digital entertainment industry.

The Tianhe Central Business District Administrative Committee cooperated with Global Digital Creations Holdings Limited. Both sides will cooperate in market expansion, investment promotion, and platform construction.

Two kids try the VR flying motorcycles at the exhibition. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

So far, Tianhe has 954 cultural enterprises above the designated size – those with an annual revenue of 20 million yuan or more – accounting for 28.5 percent of Guangzhou's total, and the cultural industry achieved operating income of 223.98 billion yuan ($31.38 billion), accounting for 40.12 percent of that in Guangzhou.

A digital entertainment exhibition was also staged the same day, with 25 enterprises and platforms, including NetEase Games, Kugou Music, and Baidu, showcasing their latest innovative applications and products.