How Chengdu launched China’s first city-level science fiction policy to boost sci-fi culture and tourism

Chengdu has positioned itself at the forefront of cultural innovation in China by introducing the country’s first city-level policy dedicated to supporting the science fiction sector. The initiative reflects a long-term vision to establish Chengdu as China’s global capital of science fiction. Its purpose is twofold: to cultivate high-quality content creation across multiple formats, and to accelerate the commercial transformation of intellectual property into viable industry outputs. By linking cultural policy with technological innovation, Chengdu is developing a new growth engine that connects literature, film, gaming, tourism, and immersive experiences.

Stimulating the sci-fi industry

Although Chengdu already benefits from a vibrant community of science fiction enthusiasts and a growing creative base, it previously lacked a coordinated policy framework to integrate the sector into wider cultural and industrial planning. Fragmented support made it difficult for creators to move from experimental works to sustainable commercial production. The absence of structured incentives also meant that promising science fiction projects struggled to access finance, scale into international markets, or link with Chengdu’s broader identity as a creative city.

In response, Chengdu City Government introduced a comprehensive package of thirteen measures designed to stimulate both production and market development. Direct subsidies for content creation provide up to RMB 100,000 for literature, films, games, and academic works, with a particular emphasis on projects that incorporate Chengdu’s cultural identity. Larger subsidies, up to RMB 500,000, support the transformation of science fiction intellectual property into tourism products and immersive experiences.

Industrial clustering has also been incentivised through annual support of RMB 200,000 for high-performing sci-fi parks and RMB 100,000–200,000 for those achieving national or provincial demonstration status. The creation of a RMB 3 billion Sci-Fi and Future Industry Fund further strengthens the sector by providing financing channels for startups, including angel investment and early-stage growth subsidies. Internationalisation is embedded in the strategy, with resources allocated for overseas promotion, including RMB 1 million for hosting international exhibitions and RMB 100,000 per product for global branding initiatives.

Measurable outcomes and industry impact

The introduction of this policy has already begun to reshape Chengdu’s cultural and industrial landscape. By embedding science fiction into formal cultural policy, the city has activated a complete ecosystem that links content creators with industrial platforms, investment funds, and international markets. Subsidies and financing instruments have accelerated the development of cultural intellectual property, ensuring that new works are not only produced but also commercialised and disseminated.

Tourism and experiential sectors are also benefitting, as science fiction content is translated into theme parks, immersive environments, and branded visitor experiences that reinforce Chengdu’s global image. The international promotion measures have strengthened the city’s visibility as a hub of creative innovation, opening pathways for cultural diplomacy and cross-border collaboration.

By combining direct support for creators with large-scale investment mechanisms and global branding, the city Chengdu created a multi-level framework that supports both cultural production and economic growth. The integration of science fiction into tourism, technology, and creative industry ecosystems illustrates how municipal policy can turn cultural niches into internationally competitive sectors.