Good news keeps pouring in as Shenzhen’s literary and artistic works have won two high-profile awards in the field of international communication. “The Successful Overseas Tour of Shenzhen’s Original Dance Drama Wing Chun” was selected as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Cases of International Communication 2024, and the short video Dedication to Hard Work claimed the Best Work Award in the International Promo Category at the 7th “Looking at China with a Third Eye” International Short Video Competition 2025. These achievements fully demonstrate Shenzhen’s innovation and vitality in international communication.
Recently, the 2025 International Communication Collaboration Conference, hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, and undertaken by the China Institute for Contemporary International Relations and the Publicity Department of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee, was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. During the conference, the award ceremony for the Top 10 Outstanding Cases of International Communication 2024 was held. Titled “Penetrating the Mainstream Audience, Mainstream Platforms and Mainstream Media – The Successful Overseas Tour of Shenzhen’s Original Dance Drama Wing Chun“, the case submitted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee stood out from 152 provincial-level candidates, making it into the Top 10 Outstanding Provincial-level Cases (including sub-provincial cities). It is also the only outstanding literary and artistic masterpiece to receive this honor.
Since its premiere at the end of 2022, Wing Chun has been staged 280 times in 65 theaters across 53 cities at home and abroad. Its premiere in Toronto on December 16 (local time) marked the show’s debut at the 66th theater in the 54th city worldwide. During its residency in Toronto, Wing Chun staged 20 performances and is set to reach a milestone – its 300th show on the global tour. From gaining widespread popularity domestically to stepping onto the international stage, Wing Chun, which embodies the core of fine traditional Chinese culture, has not only won box office support from overseas audiences with its innovative expression and high artistic quality, but also earned a place on the prestigious list of Top 10 Outstanding Cases of International Communication 2024.
Hosted by CICG and other institutions, the selection of the Top 10 Outstanding Cases of International Communication has been held for 10 consecutive years, wielding authoritative influence in the field of international communication.
In addition, the winners of the 7th “Looking at China with a Third Eye” International Short Video Competition 2025 were announced on December 21. Dedication to Hard Work, submitted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee, won the Best Work Award in the “Vision of China, Imagery of the East” section of the International Promo Category. Through the power of moving images, the short video showcases the striving history and brilliant achievements of Shenzhen – a city of reform and opening up, a city of miracles, a city of innovation and a city of the future.
Sponsored by CICG, the “Looking at China with a Third Eye” International Short Video Competition focuses on telling Chinese stories well to the world. It has evolved into a comprehensive new media international communication brand integrating foreign-language short video creation, screenings and sharing sessions.
Audience Acclaim: “Exceptional in Choreography, Music and Performance”
Meridian Hall in Toronto, Canada, buzzed with excitement over the weekend, as audiences flocked to take photos with the cast of Shenzhen’s original dance drama Wing Chun.
On December 20 and 21 (local time), Wing Chun ushered in its first weekend of residency performances in Toronto. Weekends are a cherished time for Canadian families to gather and unwind, and many families chose to spend this precious time enjoying Wing Chun.
December 21 saw Toronto bid farewell to days of gloomy weather and greet bright sunshine. Before the matinee performance that afternoon, audiences of different ethnicities and skin colors gathered at Meridian Hall for Wing Chun. The theater lobby was thronged with people even before the curtain rose – some came in small groups, others with their whole families, all ready to immerse themselves in this cultural feast and savor a fulfilling weekend.
Unlike the usual rush for cultural and creative products during intermissions or after the show, the staff at the Wing Chun Merchandise Booth were kept extremely busy before the matinee on December 21 (local time). T-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, scarves, silk kerchiefs and a wide range of Wing Chun themed merchandise sold briskly. Even the new display-only products, such as the “Wing Shun-style Earrings” and “Plum Wine Gift Set”, were snapped up by enthusiastic audiences after countless requests. Sales of cultural and creative products serve as a reliable barometer of a show’s popularity: audiences only turn their emotional resonance with a work into purchasing power when they form a genuine connection with it. A staff member at the booth told reporters that large sizes of the black T-shirts had sold out. “The audience’s enthusiasm has far exceeded our expectations, and some merchandise items are already out of stock.”
The autograph session remained a huge hit after the matinee on December 21. Only audiences who purchased the show’s souvenir program were eligible for the session, making both the Chinese and English versions of the program hot commodities. In the queue for autographs, reporters met a couple, Alexander and Aria, walking arm in arm, who shared their thoughts on the show. “Today is Alexander’s birthday, and we booked the tickets well in advance to celebrate it this way,” said Aria, the wife. They praised Wing Chun for being “exceptional in choreography, music and performance”, with the action sequences leaving a particularly profound impression. As avid lovers of Chinese culture, the couple said they will definitely travel to Shenzhen in 2026, the 10th anniversary of the establishment of friendly exchange relations between Shenzhen and Toronto.
The concept of a “opening weekend” in the performing arts, borrowed from the film industry, refers to a show’s performance over the first three days (Friday to Sunday) of its official run. It is widely regarded as a key indicator of a show’s initial success and a predictor of its subsequent reception. For Wing Chun, its opening weekend in Toronto was undoubtedly a resounding success: endless applause and cheers, hot sales of cultural and creative products, heartfelt praise passed by word of mouth, and growing positive reviews on social media – all attest to the show’s soaring popularity and vibrant vitality. Chang Hongji, the actor who portrays Ip Man and has poured his heart and soul into every performance these days, truly felt the rising enthusiasm, exclaiming, “The performances just get smoother and better!”
With its compelling artistic appeal, Wing Chun has drawn audiences not only from Toronto, but also from neighboring towns and cities. Diana Tyner and her family even traveled by train from out of town, bringing along the elderly and children, just to watch the show. She described the drama as emotionally rich, and was particularly touched by the scenes featuring Ip Man’s wife. Her son Maxx was thrilled by the opening sequence of the second act, which depicts martial arts masters of different schools competing and exchanging skills.
Joe and Juan Carlos, both lifelong fans of Chinese kung fu, raved about the show after watching it: “This is a true masterpiece.” Having loved Chinese martial arts movies since childhood, they said Wing Chun masterfully blends historical reality with stage art, offering a feast for the eyes and the soul.
Carrying the charm of Lingnan culture across the ocean, Wing Chun cast a radiant glow of Eastern art over Toronto. This weekend, martial arts met dance, tradition conversed with modernity, and Shenzhen and Toronto clasped hands once again through the power of art. The rhythm of fists and palms on stage is more than just a demonstration of martial arts moves – it is a cultural breath that transcends language barriers. The crowds and fervor outside the theater are more than just a reflection of box office success; they stand as a vivid testament to mutual learning between civilizations.
This exciting opening weekend is a warm start. It bears witness to the enduring vitality of fine traditional culture in the contemporary context, and showcases the confident stride of Shenzhen’s literary and artistic creations as they step onto the global stage. From the best-selling merchandise at the Wing Chun booth to the audience’s heartfelt praise; from local families attending the show together to kung fu fans traveling afar for it – art transcended the boundaries of the stage at this moment. It has become a bridge, connecting personal emotions with the warmth of the city, and forging deeper bonds of longing between Shenzhen and Toronto, two friendly cities.
