In a major cultural development, the city of Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang province is poised to host the 2025 Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards, along with the first-ever sci-fi book cloud exhibition this May. Announced during a well-attended press event in Beijing on January 10, this initiative marks a significant moment for the promotion of children's science fiction in China.

Scheduled from May 28 to June 2, the event encompasses a diverse range of activities designed to engage and inspire audiences.

Opening and closing ceremonies set the stage for a dynamic program that includes forums, reading promotions, award ceremonies, a celebratory gala, and public welfare activities aligned with Science Fiction Reading Month.

These activities will extend beyond Harbin, with nationwide collaborative events engaging hundreds of cities and thousands of bookstores.

Zhu Yanming, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Harbin Municipal Committee, highlighted the opportunity these events provide for China's children's sci-fi sector.

"The events will offer a platform for the industry to showcase its appeal, exchange ideas, and foster cooperation opportunities," he noted, underscoring the importance of this gathering in cultivating a robust publishing community.

Li Xiaodong from the China Writers Association echoed the transformative potential of sci-fi literature.

He emphasized the integration of sci-fi with children's education, aiming to kindle the curiosity and inventive spirit in young minds, aspiring to nurture future pioneers akin to Liu Cixin or Elon Musk.

Dong Renwei, a leading figure in the field and founder of the Children's Science Fiction Nebula Awards, expressed that the awards serve as a crucial bridge for promoting children's science fiction exchanges.

He described the event as a platform for young talents to showcase creativity and exchange ideas, which can foster dynamic growth in the sci-fi industry and inspire a passion for science among children.

Author Ma Chuansi, the chairman of the organizing committee, highlighted the celebration of annual achievements in children's sci-fi.

He noted the event's importance in blending the sci-fi market with publishing and reading promotion to cultivate a thriving cultural ecosystem.

The cloud exhibition, managed by Bai Yunpeng of the Harbin Huiwen Academy Cultural Media Group, promises an innovative mix of virtual displays and local events.

It's set to feature distinguished guests, promising an engaging platform for readers through in-person bookstore activities, such as meet-and-greets and book signings.

Speeches from esteemed writers like Wang Jinkang and Ye Mei, alongside space science expert Zhou Wu, celebrated the rapid growth of children's sci-fi and its potential to inspire young imaginations.

Wang Jinkang also launched his book 'Green Flying Monkey from the Beautiful Star'.

Liu Weihong, president of Beijing Children's Publishing House, remarked on the event's significance in creating a feedback loop between writers and readers, fostering a deeper connection through direct engagement.

This initiative, he believes, lays a strong foundation for the future of sci-fi publishing and promises to advance the healthy development of the entire sci-fi industry chain.