From contemplating the strategic "Way of Water" governance philosophy to resonating with the deep integration of culture and tourism, and sensing the vibrant pulse of "Made-in-Sichuan" cultural creations, imbued with the distinctive charm and profound cultural heritage of the Ba-Shu region, Sichuan's cultural development bore abundant fruit throughout 2025.

Sichuan's public communication and cultural sectors have thoroughly studied and implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, continuously strengthened ideological guidance, upheld fundamental principles while breaking new ground, proactively shouldered the cultural mission entrusted by the new era, and delivered outstanding achievements through dedicated efforts.

Witnessing "Ne Zha" Sailing Overseas, "Panda" Connects the World

"Three, two, one!" As the countdown to New Year's Eve echoed, more than 120,000 people gathered beneath the twin towers of the Tianfu International Financial Center on Chengdu's Jiaozi Road to welcome the year 2026. During the spectacular light show on the twin towers, the image of Nezha from the animated blockbuster "Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea" (Ne Zha 2) conveyed festive blessings to the cheering crowd.

"Cultural IPs such as Wukong and Nezha became global hits. The younger generation came to deem classic Chinese culture as the finest form of aesthetic expression." The animated figure Nezha, highlighted by President Xi Jinping in his 2026 New Year message with approval, has led its film to box office revenue exceeding 15.9 billion yuan, claiming the top spot on the global animation film revenue ranking and reflecting the distinctive artistic allure of Chinese civilization.

Equally emblematic of the unique charm of Chinese civilization is the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, which has safeguarded the Chengdu Plain from floods and nourished its fertility for thousands of years.

On December 5, 2025, President Xi Jinping had amicable exchanges with French President Emmanuel Macron in this place. The principles embodied in the Dujiangyan Irrigation System—adapting to local conditions, following the law of nature, pursuing harmony between humanity and nature, and harnessing water for the benefit of the people—are not only a precious legacy of Chinese civilization, but also provide enduring nourishment for governance and statecraft. Amidst verdant mountains and flowing waters, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System reflects the global significance of China's governance wisdom in water management.

"Golden Panda", evolving from the traditional black and white imagery, reveals the colorful diversity of art and civilization.

In September 2025, the second Golden Panda Awards commenced, with film and television entries from 126 countries and regions participating in the selection. International submissions accounted for over 70 percent of the total, while both the number of participating countries and the proportion of foreign works surpassed the figures recorded at the inaugural edition. It has created a dynamic hub in Sichuan where artistic exchange and intellectual dialogue converge, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

The giant panda also stands as the vibrant embodiment of the "Sichuan Ease" cultural and tourism brand identity. The brand image "giant panda", infused with the vibrant hues of Sichuan brocade and embroidery, has journeyed from London to Singapore and Bangkok over the past year, leaving its footprints across the globe. The "Sichuan Ease" campaign swiftly sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. A series of initiatives, including "Exploring Sichuan Through Performances, Sports Events, Film &TV, and Cuisine" and "Year-Round Travel in Sichuan", have emerged as new highlights in cultural tourism. Iconic Sichuan elements such as Emei martial arts are gaining international recognition, showcasing the province's natural ecological beauty and rich cultural vibrancy.

Treasure Sichuan is continuously redefining how the world sees it. The Mengxihe Site, a rare Paleolithic site, is gradually revealing its mysteries. Its abundant plant and animal remains serve as a veritable "dietary record" for early modern humans. Like an "encyclopedia of the Paleolithic", the site gradually unveils the secrets of the Paleolithic Age and provides crucial new evidence for research into the origins and evolution of modern humans in East Asia.

Ancient Rhythms Reborn Through Crossover Fusion

Following the currently popular year-in-review format, the Sichuan Opera Troupe has chronicled the evolution of its creative program, "Journey to the Ancient Shu Frontier", throughout the past year— from its premiere at The World Games 2025 Chengdu opening ceremony to featured performances on China Media Group (CMG) New Year's Eve Gala and at the Danzhai Intangible Cultural Heritage Week.

Amidst dynamic beats, the classic opera masks transformed in an instant. The vivacious Hua Dan performers from the Sichuan Opera Troupe fused the art of face-changing with trendy street dance, earning resounding applause from the entire audience. It embodies both a pioneering spirit, driving relentless exploration and continuous iteration, and the steady power of sustained accumulation, where consistent effort translates profound groundwork into bountiful harvests. Such dynamism also epitomizes the work of Sichuan's public communication and cultural sectors.

From the Chinese mainland's first-ever hosting of The World Games to the inaugural Sichuan City Football League (dubbed "Chuanchao") setting sail, and further to the League of Legends World Championship making its debut in Chengdu, the roar of the arena and the pulse of culture have resonated in unison. In professional competitions, athletes consistently push their limits, exploring the boundless possibilities of sport. In amateur leagues, the fervent football scene has gained fresh momentum. Various regions in Sichuan have rolled out a combination of "Chuanchao" ticket-stub initiatives, warmly inviting visitors from afar to stay and experience more.

The vitality of innovation and breakthrough continues to surge. The Sichuan Provincial Regulations on the Protection and Utilization of Ancient Books, the country's first local regulation dedicated to the protection and utilization of ancient books, officially came into effect on January 1, 2026, ushering in a new era of legal protection for this vast ocean of historical documents.

A new wave of progress in cultural-ethical advancement is allowing uplifting and virtuous social trends to permeate every household. Sichuan added 13 new National Civilized Cities, marking the best performance since the province began participating in this national campaign. The "seeds" of civilization, deeply planted in Ba-Shu soil, are quietly gathering immense spiritual strength.

The harvest of profound groundwork is now being realized throughout the hills and rivers of Ba-Shu. Literary and artistic creation has scaled new heights. The 14th China Art Festival blossomed in Sichuan and Chongqing, where Sichuan achieved record-breaking wins in both the Wenhua Award and the Qunxing Award. A continuous wave of artistic enthusiasm has swept the region. The Golden Bell Award for Music has now been held in Chengdu for four consecutive sessions. The Third Sichuan Opera Performance Gala nurtured talent, produced outstanding works, and achieved broad public recognition. Meanwhile, major national broadcasts—from the CMG Mid-Autumn Festival Gala to the upcoming CMG Spring Festival Gala—have all selected Sichuan as their host venue. The main force of journalism has fully engaged in the primary arena of media. In 2025, Sichuan clinched 19 China Journalism Awards, setting a new record and firmly retaining its position among the top performers nationwide.

Forging ahead through the waves, with a mission burning bright as a torch. Sichuan's journey from a major cultural province to a culturally strong one is unfolding with purpose, poised to make new and greater contributions to the dedicated pursuit of writing a new chapter of Sichuan in advancing Chinese modernization.