A Chinese dragon dance and martial arts are performed before the premiere of Ne Zha 2 at the TCL Chinese Theatre as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations on Saturday. RENA LI / CHINA DAILY

Global Times-During this year's Spring Festival, China's film industry shattered records with a staggering box office revenue of 9.51 billion yuan ($1.33 billion) and 187 million moviegoers. Among the successes, Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea (Ne Zha 2) has truly conquered the spotlight. By Wednesday evening, Ne Zha 2 surpassed its predecessor, leading the global box office with over 5.4 billion yuan, marking it another phenomenon. Foreign audiences eagerly awaited it, with many asking local cinemas, "When will it be shown?" Some US media outlets praised it for "making waves by showcasing the brilliance of Chinese state-of-the-art animation and compelling storytelling," predicting it would become the highest-grossing animated film in a single market, a feat that would make Hollywood's veteran companies jealous. Ne Zha, the "demon child," is bringing new insights to the global film market.

Why is Ne Zha 2 so popular? Some say it's due to its solid content, well-developed characters, and the modern adaptation of a traditional story that resonates deeply with audiences. Others attribute its success to the high-quality "report card" produced by the increasingly sophisticated Chinese film industry, with a production chain built by numerous domestic animation companies. From modeling and rendering, to action design and lighting and shadow effects, every frame of the film gathers the strengths of many. 

From the Investiture of the Gods to "our friend, little Ne Zha," to "My fate is decided by myself, not the Gods," and "If there's no road ahead, I will carve one myself," Ne Zha's image has evolved over time, yet remains deeply rooted in the soil of Chinese culture. Today, aided by advanced technology, it has been revitalized. This reflects a confidence born from the nation's inner strength, as well as a powerful testament to Chinese culture's ongoing journey of inheritance and innovation, showcasing its unique charm.

Recently, Ne Zha 2 has received congratulatory messages from industry "predecessors" such as the director of The Wandering Earth and strong endorsements from the CEO of the AAA game Black Myth: Wukong. The "fantasy crossovers" of new works and technologies - ranging from the humanoid robots spinning handkerchiefs on the Spring Festival Gala stage to the impressive AI model DeepSeek - have been full of surprises. 

These developments showcase how, with the rise of national strength, an increasing number of artistic creations and technological achievements rooted in Chinese cultural heritage and embodying the dreams of the Chinese people are making bold strides into the market and embracing the world. More importantly, the teams behind them are young and full of ambition.

The reason behind the phenomenal success of Ne Zha 2 can be glimpsed in two statements from director Yang Yu, widely known as Jiaozi. The first: "We are fortunate to be in a great era, which gives us the opportunity to do what we love." This reflects the golden opportunity brought by the growth of China's film industry and market prosperity. The second: "Each work should be created as if it's the last one; don't leave yourself any room for a breakthrough." This embodies the spirit of Chinese innovators, who constantly push boundaries with a "zero-based mind-set." 

The numbers also speak for themselves: a production team of over 4,000 people, more than 1,900 VFX shots, special effects applied to over 200 million characters, and a single shot refined over three years. This set of data has also become evidence for the audience to vote with their feet. From catching up in technology to cultural confidence, from a shortage of talent to a thriving ecosystem, the rise of domestic animation has been a difficult journey. Yet, well-crafted works created with dedication shine with the inheritance of craftsmanship passed down through generations of animators, and the audience can see it.

Not long from now, Ne Zha 2 will debut in overseas markets such as North America. Many foreign media outlets vividly remember the phenomenal success of Ne Zha: Birth of the Demon Child in 2019 and are filled with anticipation for Ne Zha 2. It is easy to envision that Ne Zha will once again stir up a "Ne Zha whirlwind" around the world. As the lens of Chinese animated films explores the dreamlike Tulou in Yongding County, Southeast China's Fujian Province, traverses the vibrant and splendid city of Chang'an, and encounters the White Snake and lion dance youth, "Chinese IP" is gradually reshaping the global animation industry landscape, bringing more Eastern aesthetic inspiration and cultural connotations to the world of animation. 

Global audiences witness Chinese filmmakers telling Chinese stories through the lens of Chinese aesthetics and values, where tradition clashes with modernity, and East meets West in mutual appreciation.

Just as Ne Zha reshaped the laws of the three realms with the power of the Primordial Pearl in the film, Chinese cinema is also constructing a new industrial landscape through the dual spiral gene of "technology + culture." It is foreseeable that as China's animation industrial chain deeply integrates with AI large models and cloud computing, and as the "New National Style" aesthetic system gains increasing recognition, this will not only represent a breakthrough in the cultural industry but also serve as a new contribution by China to the diversity of human civilization development - empowering traditional culture with modern technology and fostering dialogue among civilizations with innovative confidence, thus writing the "Legend of Fire and Wind" that belongs to this era.