Monkey King competition, cultural week to be held in Jiyuan

Kong Qinghe, director of the People's Congress Working Committee of the Jiyuan Industry-City Integration Demonstration Zone, said the event marks "not only the beginning of a grand cultural tourism celebration but also a vivid practice of creatively transforming and innovatively developing China's traditional culture."

He stressed that culture is Jiyuan's essence and innovation its driving force, explaining that the city would use monkey culture to rejuvenate traditional arts for global audiences. Contemporary methods, Kong said, would revitalize heritage while blending ecological resources with humanistic values to showcase Chinese narratives internationally. He framed the event as a springboard to establish monkey culture as "a prominent Eastern symbol that will light up the world."

Organizers and guests pose for a group photo at a Monkey King competition press conference in Beijing, Aug. 18, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Diplomats from Belt and Road Initiative partner countries also attended the press conference and have been invited to the September celebrations. Kong noted that their presence reflects hopes of using the globally recognized Monkey King as a cultural bridge for international exchange. He also outlined plans for Wulongkou's development, including a monkey culture museum, digital exhibitions, educational programs, storytelling projects and training for new generations of rural monkey opera performers.

Li Qingjun, chairman of Jiyuan Cultural Tourism Investment Group, emphasized that cultural vitality requires both preservation and dissemination. He described Monkey King culture as one of China's most globally recognizable IPs, embodying national values and naturally conveying Chinese stories. He called for greater youth involvement in heritage preservation, citing the Monkey King's universal appeal as a bridge between cultures and a unique asset for Jiyuan to share with the world.

Li also proposed enhanced tourism cooperation with Luoyang, a co-capital during the Tang dynasty (618-907) and hometown of Xuanzang, the historic monk who inspired the Tang Monk in "Journey to the West," through the creation of a "Journey to the West Cultural Corridor." The initiative would consolidate regional resources into an influential national cultural cluster.