China wants sci-fi industry, led by megahit 3 Body Problem, to help tech make the jump to lightspeed
- Revenue from China’s sci-fi industry grew by 29 per cent year on year to 13.29 billion yuan (US$15.6 billion) in 2023
- In the spotlight after Netflix hit 3 Body Problem, the industry can also offer a boost to China’s drive for technological advancement
China’s US$15 billion sci-fi industry, which has gained global attention after the success of the Netflix show 3 Body Problem, offers a potential boost to the economy while aligning with Beijing’s aspirations to become a tech powerhouse, analysts said, underscoring the need for stronger government backing to fortify the sector.
The industry achieved 113.29 billion yuan (US$15.6 billion) in total revenue last year, representing a 29 per cent year on year increase according to the 2024 China Science Fiction Industry Report, released last week during the eighth China Science Fiction Convention in Beijing.
Science fiction could also help companies conceptualise and produce new ideas, such as the establishment of a human settlement on Mars or brain-computer interfaces, according to Wu Yan, who co-authored the report.
“Sci-fi products with rich content offer expansive imaginative realms for future technology.”
This upwards trajectory is expected to persist in the years ahead
China’s sci-fi industry has enjoyed steady growth, with revenues climbing from 10 billion yuan to over 100 billion yuan in the last eight years, Wu said.
