Today's Highlights：
1. After 32 Years, 75-Year-Old Liu Xiaoqing Announces Her Return as "Wu Zetian" in a Vertical Short Drama
2. Henan Provincial Radio and Television Bureau to Hold Advanced Training Program on High-Quality Mini Series Creation
3. Focus on Mini Series: Wuxi Hi-Tech District Launches Mini Series Training Camp Program
4. Nanping Launches Its First Rural Mini Series Filming Base
5. Mini Series Becomes a New Medium for Health Science Communication
6. Turning Scenery into Stories: Xishuangbanna Crafts a New Cultural Tourism Narrative through Mini Series
After 32 Years, 75-Year-Old Liu Xiaoqing Announces Her Return as "Wu Zetian" in a Vertical Short Drama
On January 6, renowned Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing shared an update on her personal social media, writing, "Another clash after 32 years—this is bound to be a blockbuster," alongside photos of her completed makeup with legendary makeup artist Mao Geping and a script titled Wu Ze Tian Chuan Qi (The Empress of China). The post immediately sparked a wave of nostalgia among audiences. The most striking aspect of this comeback lies in the shift in format—from traditional long-form TV dramas to the currently popular vertical-screen short dramas. This, however, is not Liu Xiaoqing's first foray into in short-form drama. In recent years, she has appeared in two short dramas, Meng Bao Zhu Gong: Wu Shi Sui Hun Chong (Cute Baby's Assist: A Sweet Marriage at Fifty) and Tian Jiang Fu Xing (Fortune from Above), actively embracing this new emerging of film and television production. In previous interviews, she has spoken candidly about her enthusiasm for the format, noting that acting in short dramas allows her to "satisfy her passion for acting."
She has also expressed confidence in the media, stating, "Short dramas are excellent—especially suited to actors with strong acting skills like us." Facing changes in the industry, she has demonstrated remarkable adaptability. As she once remarked, "In every era, I have always stood at the forefront of the trend."
Henan Provincial Radio and Television Bureau to Hold Advanced Training Program on High-Quality Mini Series Creation
The Henan Provincial Radio and Television Bureau, in collaboration with the China Netcasting Services Association, will host an Advanced Training Program on High-Quality Mini Series Creation in Henan Province from January 14 to 16, 2026, in Zhengzhou. According to the notice, the program is open to creative professionals and senior management personnel involved in mini series production, including screenwriters, directors, and producers from mini series distribution platforms, production companies, traffic operation agencies, and traditional film and television companies.
It also welcomes members of the expert database for online audiovisual programs, as well as individuals who intend to engage in mini series creation and operation. In addition, the training will focus on key areas such as industry analysis and development trends of mini series; topic exploration and integrated creation rooted in Henan's traditional culture, as well as cultural IP adaptation; traffic operation strategies and diversified monetization models for mini series; the core creative logic behind high-quality mini series; and interpretations of industry evaluation standards and recommendation mechanisms. Emphasizing practicality and guidance, the program is designed to deliver rich, targeted, and highly applicable content, providing participants with valuable insights and actionable expertise for mini series creation and operation.
Focus on Mini Series: Wuxi Hi-Tech District Launches Mini Series Training Camp Program
On January 6, Wuxi Hi-Tech District (Xinwu District) held the launch ceremony of the "Mini Series Training Camp Program" and officially opened the Mini Series Social Practice Base, under the theme "Integrating Industry and Culture, Working Together for Mutual Benefit." This marks an important step in the district's ongoing efforts to integrate resources, build platforms, and promote the high-quality development of the mini series industry. At the event, the "Mini Series Training Camp Program" was officially released. Based on the core concept of industry–education integration, the program establishes a three-in-one training system combining theoretical learning, project-based practice, and industry engagement. Its curriculum spans the entire industry chain, including scriptwriting, filming and production, as well as operation and promotion, providing participants with a clear pathway from classroom learning to real industry practice.
At the same time, the Wuxi Hi-Tech District (Xinwu District) Mini Series Social Practice Base, which focuses on emerging formats of mini series, was officially put into operation. Relying on the district's strong industrial foundation, rich cultural resources, and advanced production facilities, the base systematically builds full-chain support system from creative incubation and script development to filming, production, and commercialization of outcomes. It aims to become an important hub linking innovative talent training with practical industry application.
Nanping Launches Its First Rural Mini Series Filming Base
On January 5, Nanping's first rural mini series filming base was officially inaugurated in Jinkeng Township, Shaowu City, Fujian Province. Relying on rich revolutionary heritage sites, ancient village landscapes, and ecological resources, the base explores a "culture, tourism and film & television" integrated development model, injecting new momentum into rural revitalization. "This place needs no additional sets, every brick and tile comes with its own story. It is a natural stage for filming mini series themed around revolutionary history and rural life," said Huang Fuwen, Party Secretary of Jinkeng Township. The Township preserves numerous revolutionary sites, such as bullet-marked walls and the Red Army Bridge, as well as historical remains including Ming and Qing dynasty ancient streets and traditional residences.
At the opening ceremony, Jinkeng Township of Shaowu City and Xianjia Town of Yongchun County signed the Party-Building and Film & Television Empowerment Cooperation Agreement. Using rural mini series as a connecting link, the two sides will strengthen exchanges in cultural heritage, history, and economic and social development, tap into local resources, and leverage complementary strengths, and promote deep integration of mini series with culture and tourism, agriculture, and intangible cultural heritage, jointly building a regionally distinctive mini series brand. At the event, the base's first filmed mini series, Qi Shou (The Chess Player), also held its inaugural filming ceremony.
Mini Series Becomes a New Medium for Health Science Communication
The public-interest science mini series Wo De Bing Ren Quan Shi Shu Zhong Da Lao (All My Patients Are Big Names from Books), guided by the Health Commission of Guangdong Provincial, the Radio and Television Administration of Guangdong Province, and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province, has officially been scheduled for release. It premiered on January 6 on the official WeChat video account "Healthy Guangdong" of the Health Commission of Guangdong Provincial.
The mini series tells the story of a modern elite doctor who accidentally travels through time and is forced to embark on a challenging journey of practicing medicine to repay overwhelming debts. The protagonist, Li Jingtian, is unexpectedly transported from a leading modern medical expert into a heavily indebted owner of a medicine shop in a different world. He is bound to an intelligent medical system named "Yuanhua," which assigns him massive debt and a severely negative family relationship rating. Even more challenging, all key system tasks require mandatory teamwork. Li Jingtian must complete them together with his wife Su Banxia, who fears him, and his stepson Su Xiaoshi, who is hostile toward him. As a result, his path to redemption is not only a contest of wisdom, using modern medical knowledge to unravel ancient medical mysteries, but also a heartfelt journey of repairing fractured family bonds and rebuilding trust through shared adversity.
Turning Scenery into Stories: Xishuangbanna Crafts a New Cultural Tourism Narrative through Mini Series
Multiple short dramas, including Man Bo Qi Yuan (Mambo Destiny), Tian Fu (Talent), and Shu Shu De Fang Zi (Uncle's House), have recently completed location filming in Xishuangbanna. Among them, Man Bo Qi Yuan was released simultaneously in China and Thailand. The vertical-format short drama Tian Fu was filmed at multiple locations, including the villa area of the Monbala International Tourism Resort in Menghai County, Ruyuan Tea House, Tea Garden Music Restaurant, and the Daiyi Culture—Dai Ethnic Cultural Experience Center. The production team completed an intensive 10-day shoot, and the series has now entered the post-production editing stage. Its release is expected soon.
Tian Fu follows a group of young people who bravely pursue their musical dreams. Set in a Dai ethnic community, the story centers on a family engaged in Pu'er tea business, weaving rich Xishuangbanna elements into the narrative. Notably, the script—winner of the Best Story Award at a national mini series competition—was not originally set in Xishuangbanna. "Before filming began, the company's management and decision-making team conducted three months of field research in Xishuangbanna before ultimately choosing Menghai County as the filming location," said Wu Shanshan, the screenwriter and producer of the series.
"The main creative team arrived in Menghai one month in advance for research and preparation, deeply integrating local elements and settings into the original story framework." She added, "The warm winter sunshine, year-round greenery, and the simplicity of local customs convinced us that rooting the story here would be deeply meaningful. Through this series, we hope audiences can feel the city's relaxed atmosphere and unique charm, and glimpse the poetic lifestyle and distant dreams people long for."
