Young artists converge for China Wulin Conference in Jinhua

On location at the filming of the China Wulin Conference and Jinhua City Theatre Festival, over 20 distinct regional opera styles and more than 30 prestigious troupes from across 17 provinces have converged to record 96 classic opera excerpts. Rather than framing traditional theater strictly as archived museum pieces, this grand gathering positions Chinese opera as a living, evolving dialogue among the next generation of performers.

"Peking Opera relies on codified movements, while Kunqu Opera (Kunqu) is lyrical and elegant," explains Yang Xiayun, a renowned Wu Opera (Wuju) artist based in Jinhua. "Wu Opera synthesizes diverse styles, depicting dramatic action through martial techniques and expressing combat through melodic storytelling. Beyond the friendly rivalry, it is a rare chance to learn from one another and forge bonds through Chinese opera."

The spectacle unfolds in the ancient city of Jinhua, located in east China's Zhejiang Province. The event is rooted in Jinhua's centuries-old tradition of Doutai (a ceremonial stage competition where performers challenge each other's mastery), creating an unprecedented platform for young artists to cross-train across regional traditions and explore contemporary expressions of their shared heritage.

Produced by China Media Group (CMG), the upcoming television program is scheduled to premiere on CCTV-11 on Friday, November 6 at 19:30 BJT (11:30 GMT), bringing this multi-genre spectacle to global audiences across television and digital platforms.