Literary event kicks off Belt and Road storytelling journey
Bangkok served as the inaugural location for a global Chinese novel-writing competition, which began on Sunday, September 7, at Baan Dusit Thani. The event, a collaboration between Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao newspaper and SPH Media, gathered writers, publishers, and cultural figures from across Southeast Asia.
Following its launch in the Thai capital, the competition will continue to Penang, Malaysia, and Nusa Island, Indonesia. Over 200 participants of various ages attended the Bangkok event, highlighting the growing interest in Chinese-language literature in the region.
The initiative received support from Phinij Jarusombat, former deputy prime minister and president of the Thai-Chinese Cultural Relationship Council, alongside senior representatives from China’s cultural and media sectors.
Organisers seek original Chinese-language novels from global writers, aiming to nurture young talent, encourage cross-cultural understanding, and build a platform for literary exchange among countries engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative.
A highlight of the Bangkok event was an offline discussion with online novelist Huwei de Bi, whose work Dao Gui Yi Xian was recently selected by Universal Studios Singapore for its Halloween programme—the first time an original Chinese intellectual property was featured in an international theme park.
Singaporean author Sui Ting also joined the dialogue, offering insights on creativity and cultural storytelling. Their exchange reinforced the competition’s goal of connecting communities through literature.
Meanwhile, the Pattaya Film Festival 2025 ran from August 28 to 30, featuring screenings, seminars, and unique showings, including one held in a temple. Hosted at SF Cinema Central Marina, the festival was part of Pattaya’s ambition to brand itself as a hub for the film industry and earn recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Film.
According to the Bangkok Post, the initiative reflects Thailand’s wider strategy of using soft power to drive tourism and economic growth. Pattaya’s mayor emphasised that the city offers much more than just its beaches.