New media lab celebrates Pudong's achievements

China Media Group’s new media lab equipped with 5G, 4K and AI has recently opened in Shanghai. The laboratory is located in Xuhui District’s riverside area.

As its first project, a 4K documentary series will be produced on the history of the Pudong New Area over the last 30 years.

As early as February, the CCTV Spring Festival Gala made a virtual reality live transmission via the 5G network to Changchun, one of the gala’s sub-venues, allowing closer interaction with the audience there.

In the broadcasting and reporting of the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition and the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, 5G, VR and 4K also played their parts.

According to Shen Haixiong, vice minister at the publicity department of the CPC Central Committee and president of China Media Group, the laboratory is a move to develop an innovative media platform with global influence.

“Shanghai’s academic and scientific research resources, and environment for technological innovation will help propel the development of domestic radio, TV and multimedia,” he said.

Ying Yong, mayor of Shanghai, said he fully supported the media laboratory and development of traditional media and new media convergence.

The documentary series, “Thirty Years in Pudong,” has already begun shooting. The 6-episode series will be aired in April 2020 to celebrate the 30th anniversary the decision by the State Council to develop the area, opening a new chapter in the history of Pudong.

The series will offer a panorama of achievements in the Pudong New Area, especially the stories of people involved. The series will look into the future with new interpretations of the area’s policies and plans.

Last year, the district contributed around a third of Shanghai’s economic output. The area has become an international hub for finance, trade, shipping and technological innovation.

The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was approved by the State Council in 2013, the first of its kind on the Chinese mainland. It is an incubator for economic reform, and includes the special customs zones of Yangshan Deep Water Port, Pudong Airport and Waigaoqiao Port, covering a total of 28 square kilometers.