Latest news with #Zhejiang
Globe and Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Zhejiang Satellite TV's ‘The Class of Limitless Acting Transcendence 3' soars to No.1 with a resonance of truth and emotion
Co-produced by Zhejiang Satellite TV and Youku, The Class Of Limitless Acting Transcendence 3 is a youth acting reality show that continues the successful format of its previous two seasons. The program assembles a powerhouse team of industry veterans including Chief Director Dongsheng Er and producers Lei Hao, Chengru Li, Tao Liu, Zhenyu Wu, and Zhiwei Zeng, with guest producers Jing Wang, Huaqiang Xiang, and Tianzhen Yang. Together, they mentor a diverse cast of performers such as Zhipeng Chen, Zhen Ding, Shouer Fu, Hanikezi, Jiuhua He, Yao Hong, Chun Ke, Muchen Li, Yichang Liu, Yixiao Li, Yuxin Liu, Shaoyang Xu, An Yan, Xiaotong Yu, Yuhan Yu, Haoxin Wang, Xing Wang, Danfeng Zhang, and Lili Zhong. Through a professional training ecosystem that includes real-world job assessments, master classes, and on-set auditions, the show challenges young actors to face criticism head-on and rebuild their skills from the ground up. As one of China's most compelling entertainment IPs in recent years, The Class Of Limitless Acting Transcendence has earned widespread acclaim for its sharp insights into the acting industry and its vibrant online engagement. Often described by netizens as a 'clear-headed acting show,' the program has twice been nominated for Best Variety Program at the Shanghai TV Festival's Magnolia Awards. Since the launch of its third season, the show has ranked No.1 in its timeslot across 71 CSM cities on Saturdays, topping internal charts on both Z Shijie and Youku, and dominating popularity metrics across major platforms. It has amassed over 44.57 billion total topic views and more than 17,523 trending topics across Chinese social media. The theme of this season, 'Growth Without Regret,' reflects not only the development journey of its cast but also the evolution of the show itself. In response to growing audience fatigue with long-running formats, The Class Of Limitless Acting Transcendence 3 pushes the boundaries of storytelling, competition structure, and multimedia engagement—cultivating a heartfelt resonance through authenticity, emotional depth, and a commitment to truth. Mirror of Reality: Audiences See Themselves in the Show Authenticity is the most compelling feature of 'The Class Of Limitless Acting Transcendence 3.' Widely recognized as a gold standard for performance-based variety shows, the program has developed a narrative structure that balances critique and support. Season 3 simulates a real working environment in the entertainment industry. Producers with genuine casting needs participate directly, transforming the competition into a highly realistic workplace experience. From auditions to callbacks, fierce role battles to final eliminations, the goal is for each performer to secure an 'offer' at the final 'Unlimited Showcase.' This realistic setup appeals to both professionals and the general public, turning industry dilemmas into relatable social issues. When the market evaluation phase began in Episode 8, the raw exposure of the entertainment world's survival rules resonated with viewers, who saw their own workplace anxieties mirrored in the actors' experiences. A powerful scene occurred in Episode 8 when outstanding actor An Yan was dismissed by market mentors as 'not preferred for cooperation.' Producer Tao Liu questioned, 'Do the audience choose actors by popularity alone, not skill?' and Director Lei Hao bluntly stated, 'Being unknown is a sin; fame makes anything right.' This ignited heated debate online and pushed the hashtag #HaoLei_OnFameBias to Weibo's Top 8. Viewers noted how the entertainment world's 'traffic-first' casting mimicked corporate favoritism. The show revealed cross-industry problems: resource concentration, narrow evaluations, and utilitarianism. As such, the show doesn't just expose acting industry struggles—it mirrors the collective anxiety of modern employees. These uncomfortable truths are a needed wake-up call. The show courageously raised questions like 'Should actors benefit from labels?', 'Do experienced actors outperform new ones?', and 'Can acting be ranked by seniority?', using sharp professional critique to tackle deep-rooted issues and drive healthy industry reform. As seen in the show, An Yan ultimately earned a contract based on his ability. One viewer, Sarah, wrote, 'This reminds the production team that beyond rigid metrics, diverse possibilities still exist. The production team can't change the rules, but the production team can honor professionalism and stay true to authenticity.' Emotional Support: Helping Performers Break Through 'Acting is one way to experience life—I can't be innocent forever,' said Zhen Ding in Episode 10 amid debates over his growth. Some viewers wanted him to 'return to the prairie,' but he expressed growing passion for acting, crediting the show for giving him the space to explore his identity beyond labels. Among all cast members, Zhen Ding became a symbol of transformation. Though a total novice, he moved audiences through evolving roles—from a naive Xu Xian in 'Green Snake,' to a funny chef in 'The God of Cookery,' to a nuanced villain in 'Escape from the Trilateral Slopes,' and a heartfelt young soldier in the war drama 'Final Battle.' He even won praise for his role in 'The Double.' Mentors preserved his innocence while helping him overcome communication and experience gaps, gradually mastering camera language and emotional delivery. His progress through different genres showcased untapped potential. This season's casting was strategic: short drama actors, idols, controversial figures, crossovers, and those seeking a comeback—each representing a unique slice of the entertainment ecosystem. The goal was to portray them breaking free from limitations and provide inspirational growth models. The show built a full-scale testing framework—from fundamentals to diverse genre performance—while aligning individual growth with market needs. The result? Tangible progress. Hot topics like #DingZhenTheClassOfLimitlessActingTranscendence and #YuYuhanJoinedTheRightShow demonstrate the show's grounded mentorship. Interactive Authenticity: Creating with the Audience A healthy entertainment industry depends on collaboration between creators, platforms, and audiences. While embracing professional assessments, the show also invited audiences to co-create the experience. Beyond robust storytelling, Zhejiang TV's promotion team launched creative campaigns like 'Public Covenant Wall' and 'Unlimited Masterclass' to boost professional discourse. The show also responded to audiences' interest with 'Cloud Supervision,' 'Cloud Interaction,' and 'Cloud Backstage.' In the long-running livestream series #SurpriseLive, Director Tong Wu, mentors, and actors join post-episode reviews to dissect highlights and respond to audiences' concerns. On Weibo, the IP mascot account 'ChaBao' playfully shares memes, behind-the-scenes clips, and exclusive livestreams to humanize the cast beyond the screen. Through 'participatory media,' the show forms a feedback loop between production, conversation, and emotion. Audiences don't just watch—they co-create. Ultimately, the breakout success of Season 3 reaffirms this truth: content that resonates is always rooted in honest insight and genuine engagement. In this sense, 'The Class Of Limitless Acting Transcendence' is more than a show—it is a meditation on professionalism, growth, and human value that lingers long after the credits roll. Media Contact Company Name: Zhejiang Satellite TV Contact Person: Xian Wu Email: Send Email City: Hangzhou Country: China Website:
Associated Press
18 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
"Pet Economy" Booms: Yiwugo Provides One-Stop Access to 30,000+ Products
YIWU, China, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world. This year, the pet economy has seen explosive growth, with the pet products market continuing to expand. Data from Yiwugo reveals that since the opening of the Yiwu market in 2025, the search popularity for 'pet supplies' has remained exceptionally high. For nearly half a year up to early June, 'pet supplies' consistently ranked among the top 50 most-searched keywords on Yiwugo. It is reported that the pet supplies zone in Block 5 of the Yiwu International Trade Market covers 8,000 square meters, with annual sales exceeding 2 billion RMB. Over 80% of these products are exported to Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia, accounting for approximately 10% of China's total pet supplies exports. An article published on the Yiwu Index on June 6, 2025 covering the pet economy stated, 'Yiwu's pet supplies sales reached 3 billion RMB in 2024, representing about 15% of China's total pet supplies exports. Yiwu has become the largest specialized pet supplies market in China, offering over 30,000 distinct product items, covering every aspect of pet care, from food and apparel to housing, travel, and daily essentials.' Regarding the rapid growth in product variety and professional specialization within Yiwu's pet supplies market, Mr. Wang Sheng, who is in charge of Zhejiang Fengpei Pet Articles Firm, and the Secretary-General of the Yiwu China Small Commodities City Pet (Aquatic) Supplies Industry Association, is particularly well-positioned to comment. Since entering the industry with his wife in 2008, Wang has focused on building a one-stop pet supplies procurement base. Today, their company boasts an extensive catalog of nearly 30,000 product items. As a vertically integrated company combining manufacturing and trade, Fengpei far surpasses industry standards in both product design and quality. In 2016, the company was among the first to identify the gap between the diverse market demand for pet harnesses and the limited supply options available. Determined to enhance product quality and create more exquisite harnesses, Wang meticulously researched the market and collaborated with a professional design team. That year, Fengpei launched several original harness designs, featuring superior raw materials, reinforced thickness, significantly improved strap durability, and extended service life. They quickly became popular in the domestic pet supplies market and soon gained traction internationally, with overseas buyers competing for orders. Mr. Wang stated, 'during the peak year, we sold more than one million units.' Since then, harnesses have become Fengpei's signature product, establishing the company as a premium industry player. While continuously elevating product professionalism and expanding its categories, Wang has also implemented a systematic management structure across all levels of production and sales. This has propelled the company to become a supplier to multiple renowned domestic and international brands. Now serving as Secretary-General of the Yiwu China Small Commodities City Pet (Aquatic) Supplies Industry Association, Wang shoulders greater responsibility for industry development. Some of Fengpei's long-term clients, originally mom-and-pop shops, have grown into branded enterprises with thousands of employees. Aided by Yiwugo platform, the company has secured increasing orders from high-quality domestic and international companies, providing crucial momentum during its recent growth surge. Mr. Wang recalled that a few years ago, a well-known overseas chain supermarket contacted him via Yiwugo requesting product samples. After several rounds of supplier evaluations, the company won the order by leveraging Yiwu's unique advantages in raw materials and logistics, coupled with outstanding product quality and exceptional cost-effectiveness. The partnership continues strongly to this day, with annual orders for certain products exceeding one million RMB during peak seasons. As a merchant who has personally witnessed the booming development of Yiwu's pet supplies market, Wang is profoundly grateful for the support from both the Yiwu market and Yiwugo platform. He firmly believes that as more industry players enter and enrich the market, the pet supplies sector in Yiwu will continue to flourish with even greater vitality! View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Zhejiang Sanhua Said to Upsize Hong Kong Listing to $1.2 Billion
Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co. raised HK$9.3 billion ($1.2 billion) after expanding the size of its Hong Kong share sale and pricing the deal at the top of the marketed range, according to people familiar with the matter. The Chinese company, whose stock also trades in Shenzhen, priced 414.4 million shares in its Hong Kong listing at HK$22.53 each, the people said, asking not to be named because the information isn't public.
Medscape
a day ago
- Health
- Medscape
Do Sugary Drinks Raise Dementia Risk in Older Adults?
Higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) or artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) in later life was not associated with the risk for all-cause dementia, pooled data from six large prospective cohort studies showed. However, more research to examine the impact of such beverages in younger cohorts is warranted. The null associations were consistent across subgroups defined by age, sex, BMI, and presence of chronic disease and the findings were robust in sensitivity analysis, reported the authors, led by Hui Chen, with the School of Public Health, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. The study was published online on June 18 in JAMA Psychiatry. Mixed Data Previous observational studies have suggested possible links between high consumption of sweetened beverages and increased dementia risk, although findings have been inconsistent. To provide more definitive evidence, researchers analyzed long-term data from 10,974 adults enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study (2013), the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (1987-1995), the Chicago Healthy and Aging Project (1993-2012), the Rush Memory and Aging Project (1997-2005), the Framingham Heart Study original cohort (1986-1994), and its offspring cohort (1991-2001). The mean age at baseline was 73 years and 60% were women. SSB and ASB intake were assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires and dementia diagnoses were confirmed through active follow-up and standardized clinical protocols. A total of 2445 participants developed dementia during 116,067 person-years of follow-up. The consumption of SSB and ASB was not associated with increased dementia risk. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) per serving per week was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.01; P = .18) for SSB and 1.00 (95% CI, 0.99-1.01; P = .99) for ASB. Even among those consuming at least one daily serving, no statistically significant association was found (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.78-1.03 for SSB and HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.84-1.21 for ASB). The narrow CIs indicate 'relatively high precision,' the investigators noted and 'suggests that the lack of associations is less likely due to inadequate statistical power and more reflective of an absence of association between SSB, ASB, and dementia risk.' Key strengths of the six studies include the long-term follow-up — 10.7 years on average — which is longer than most prior studies, and the inclusion of only older adults, therefore excluding early-onset dementia. The limitation is that the study population had a lower prevalence of daily SSB and ASB intake (roughly 10%) compared with the general US older population, where it's estimated that roughly 20% of individuals aged 55 years or older consume these beverages daily. Summing up, Chen and colleagues said their findings suggest that in late life, consumption of sweetened beverages may not independently increase the risk for dementia. However, given their harmful effects on metabolic health and related chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, the effects of early-life consumption of SSB and ASB on the risk for dementia need to be investigated, they noted.
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
Cute, coveted - and counterfeit: China seizes 46,000 fake Labubu toys as state media sound alarm
BEIJING: Chinese customs authorities have recently seized more than 46,000 counterfeit Labubu toys, as the viral popularity of the trendy collectibles fuels a parallel boom in fakes and scalping. The surge in knock-offs has prompted state media warnings about a growing 'black market chain' exploiting consumers and infringing on intellectual property rights. Featuring a scruffy, wide-eyed creature with a devilish grin, Labubu shot to international fame through a combination of celebrity endorsements and social media hype. Sold by Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, Labubu's appeal has been fuelled by limited-edition drops and themed collections that heighten its sense of exclusivity. But the frenzy has also sparked a flood of counterfeits, dubbed 'Lafufu' by collectors. The latest seizures by Chinese customs authorities spanned three regions, with a significant haul logged last Thursday (Jun 12) at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge checkpoint in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. A total of 20,599 fake Labubu dolls were seized in three separate inspections of export-bound trucks. The shipments were found to have the Pop Mart logo printed on the packaging and the toys without authorisation, said China Customs in a statement on Wednesday evening. Similarly, customs officials at Ningbo in Zhejiang province found 20,240 counterfeit Labubu products while inspecting a batch of children's toys, plastic cups and other goods. In another incident at Shanghai's Pudong Airport, customs officers inspecting outbound express mail seized 5,961 knock-off Labubu toys that had been falsely declared as 'plush ornaments'. China Customs did not specify the exact dates of the seizures in Ningbo and Shanghai Pudong Airport, stating only that they took place 'recently'. It reminded exporters and agents that all goods must be truthfully declared under the law, including accurate disclosure of their intellectual property status. Offenders risk having their goods confiscated and being handed a fine. In more serious cases, they could face criminal prosecution and jail, the authorities warned. STATE MEDIA WARN OF FAKES AND FLIPPERS As the Labubu craze sweeps across China and the rest of the world, Chinese state media have warned of a growing influx of counterfeit goods and scalpers profiting at the expense of unsuspecting consumers. A commentary published Wednesday on the official WeChat account of People's Daily, China's Communist Party's flagship newspaper, warned that 'outlaws' were capitalising on the hype through rampant scalping of limited-edition Labubu dolls and the sale of counterfeits. It cited a recent case of law enforcement officers in Zhejiang busting three separate cases involving the manufacturing and sale of fake Labubu dolls. The commentary also mentioned the rush to buy Labubu dolls in the secondary market, referencing the auction in Beijing earlier this month where a human-sized Labubu figure was sold for a record 1.08 million yuan (US$150,220). 'In some secondhand markets, scalpers maliciously hoard goods and resell them at high prices, seriously disrupting normal market order,' the commentary said, adding that some merchants were selling imitation Labubu products under labels such as 'affordable substitutes' or 'one-to-one high imitations'. The People's Daily commentary also criticised cases where scalpers used software to buy genuine Labubu products, then colluded with 'high-imitation merchants' to mix authentic and fake dolls for resale. This has made it difficult for consumers to protect themselves, as a 'black market chain' has been formed, said the commentary. 'The blatant sale of these high-end Labubu (dolls) not only seriously infringes on Pop Mart's intellectual property rights and damages its brand image, but it also greatly infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of consumers.' The People's Daily's commentary further called on online platforms to 'fulfil their principal responsibilities', such as strengthening reviews on merchants and penalising those who sell counterfeit products, as well as protecting consumers' rights and interests. It also called on regulators to enhance consumer protection mechanisms, step up intellectual property enforcement, and intensify crackdowns on copyright infringement and counterfeits.
