On August 28, during the Zhanjiang branch of the Southern Book Festival, a high-level symposium on the high-quality development of "online literature plus micro-dramas" was held at the Xiashai Yunfei Library. The event brought together industry professionals to discuss the two-way transformation of web fiction IPs into micro-drama content, with a particular focus on weaving Zhanjiang's rich marine cultural resources into creative works. The goal was to leverage quality online fiction IPs to energize micro-drama production.

At the meeting, officials from the Municipal Propaganda Department and the Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau delivered policy briefings, detailing support measures for original online literature and micro-drama adaptation projects. These policy initiatives are designed to provide creators with a robust framework of encouragement and backing.

In recent years, Zhanjiang has seen significant progress in online literature, with a growing base of resources and foundations for the micro-drama sector. The city's community of web fiction writers has expanded steadily, with numerous local authors gaining recognition. The creative talent pool spans older, middle-aged, and younger generations, placing Zhanjiang in the top tier nationally in both writer numbers and literary achievements.

Wu Qianyao (pen name: Yao Mao Er Duo), a member of the China Writers Association and a contracted author on Jinjiang Literary City, noted, "AI short dramas and online literature have lower entry barriers, enabling ordinary people to pick up a computer and start creating. This is a vivid example of new mass art. In the face of AI-driven writing trends, web writers must stay true to their original intent. AI is just a tool; authentic self-expression is where literary value lies. The emotions and ideas behind literature must come from human hands."

Zhan Zhicai (pen name: Han Men), also a member of the China Writers Association and deputy secretary-general of the Guangdong Network Writers Association, shared his observations on the industry's evolution: "Micro-dramas have grown out of online literature, and many web writers are also working as screenwriters. In Zhanjiang, several writers' works have been adapted into short dramas, and their screenwriting projects have achieved impressive results. Online literature and micro-dramas are advancing side by side." He also advised writers to actively embrace AI tools, noting, "From data collection and promotional work to copyright development, AI will become a reliable partner for web writers."

Chen Qiuling, operations management supervisor at Zhanjiang Tourism Group, stated that the company will focus on its core cultural tourism responsibilities and explore a new integrated development path combining "culture tourism, online literature, and micro-dramas." Plans include revitalizing real-world resources at sites like the Military Expo Park, Huguangyan, and the Forest Park to provide filming locations for web fiction and micro-drama productions. The group aims to dig deeper into Zhanjiang's marine culture and local customs, incubate local cultural IPs, and create high-quality creative materials. By linking content with tourism products through story-driven check-in points and leveraging AI for digital marketing, the goal is to boost cultural tourism consumption, innovatively tell Zhanjiang's travel stories, and advance the high-quality growth of the local tourism industry.

During the forum, local web writers, film and television production companies, and industry representatives engaged in lively discussions on topics such as developing marine culture themes, AI-enhanced creation, talent cultivation, and cross-sector collaboration. Some attendees proposed that micro-dramas are not just content products but also "catalysts" for cultural tourism integration. They suggested adopting a coordinated model of "culture tourism plus micro-dramas plus online literature," incorporating Zhanjiang landmarks like Xuwen's "Pineapple Sea," the mangrove ecological landscapes, and Chikan Old Street into storylines, using compelling narratives to spotlight scenic attractions.

Experts and scholars from Guangdong Ocean University, Lingnan Normal University, and the Zhanjiang Literary and Art Critics Association also offered academic guidance on online fiction creation, providing advice on developing local cultural themes, enhancing content quality, and driving industrial integration. Their input gave creators both theoretical depth and practical direction.

The symposium underscored that online literature and micro-dramas are vital carriers of mass art in the new era, making their high-quality, integrated development highly significant. Attendees stressed the need to balance creative direction with work quality, market demand with refined production, originality with fusion innovation, and talent development with industry services. On one hand, the focus should be on producing outstanding works that draw on local marine culture, intangible cultural heritage, and revolutionary heritage to craft culturally distinctive pieces for Zhanjiang. On the other, deeper industrial integration should be pursued by continuing to explore new models of "online literature plus micro-dramas," using digital cultural creativity to drive the transformation and upgrade of the cultural tourism sector, and ultimately supporting the high-quality growth of Zhanjiang's cultural undertakings and industries.