Officials and media executives have called for greater adoption of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence, to produce quality content that fosters positive energy in cyberspace and builds consensus for China's modernization drive.

They made the remarks during the 2026 China Internet Media Forum, which was held in Zhengzhou, He-nan province, on Saturday and Sunday. Panel discussions centered around building a "prosperous and positive" online content ecosystem.

Speaking at the forum's opening ceremony on Sunday, Zhuang Rongwen, vice-minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said that mainstream media must leverage AI systems such as large language models to stay relevant.

Zhuang called for personalized, scenario-based and interactive communication strategies. "We must win over audiences with high-quality content," he said.

The event brought together representatives of mainstream media and commercial platforms, operators of government social media accounts, and online influencers, whose presentations showcased how they have championed the core values of cyberspace in the past decade.

In his welcoming remarks, Liu Ning, Party secretary of Henan, said the role and significance of online media in serving the public are increasingly evident today, with their mission and responsibility becoming more prominent.

"We sincerely invite online media and content creators to visit Henan for interviews and field trips to experience firsthand the development trends, the changes in landscapes, the cultural richness, and the natural beauty of the central plains. We hope they will produce more high-quality works that are meaningful, heartwarming and influential," Liu said.

Chen Rui, chairman and CEO of streaming website Bilibili, said that sensational content might generate short-term traffic, but only meaningful content can leave a lasting impression. He attributed Bilibili's continuous growth in terms of users to its focus on supporting creators who produce quality work.

Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Unitree, highlighted the strong capability of humanoid robots to promote Chinese culture, citing a kung fu performance by Unitree humanoids during this year's Spring Festival Gala, which became a global sensation.

According to a report released in February by the China Internet Network Information Center, China's internet user population reached 1.125 billion in December 2025, with the internet penetration rate surpassing 80 percent.

The number of generative AI users stood at 602 million, the data showed, reflecting the deepening integration of AI into daily life and industrial sectors.

As a side event of the main forum, China Daily website co-hosted a thematic session on Saturday, during which foreign online influencers shared how their personal experiences in China have helped shape a more authentic understanding of the country.

Speakers, including Indian travel blogger Anayat Ali and Belgian influencer Lucas Deckers, emphasized that immersion in local life offered a more realistic portrait of China than headlines alone could convey.

Among the participants was Adam Foster, a great-nephew of Helen Foster Snow, the wife of US journalist Edgar Snow, whose 1937 book Red Star Over China introduced generations of Western readers to the Chinese revolution.