SINGAPORE: China is exploring new application scenarios of advanced technologies such as brain-computer interface systems which can provide better support to people with disabilities based on their actual needs, an official said on Monday.

Zhou Changkui, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, said at a press conference in Beijing that the federation and some other governmental departments have jointly issued a guiding document to promote the use of technology to offer greater disability assistance.

“The China Disabled Persons’ Federation will focus on the actual needs of people with disabilities in the areas of medical care, rehabilitation, employment, and barrier-free access to ensure that research and development resources are allocated in a targeted manner. People with disabilities should be involved throughout this process to make sure future products are practical and suitable,” he said.

Zhou also pointed to the important breakthrough made at the Zhongguancun Forum — a major sci-tech gathering held in the Chinese capital in late March — where attendees emphasized how cutting-edge technologies can help create a more inclusive society and address the needs of vulnerable people, including those living with disabilities.

“This year, at the Zhongguancun Forum, the Federation listed application scenarios of science and technology for assisting persons with disabilities for the first time, including barrier-free ride-hailing services for people with disabilities, intelligent rehabilitation devices integrating non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, and smart guide products for the visually impaired, which have garnered significant public attention,” he said.

In addition, Zhou said the Federation will step up publicity efforts to help people with disabilities gain more knowledge about the development of assistive products. It will also establish institutions and promote the inclusion of these products in relevant subsidy programs to lower the barriers to their use, he added.

China’s film industry is entering a new era of global reach, with an increasing number of productions ranging from commercial blockbusters to indie arthouse titles crossing borders and gaining worldwide recognition.

This week, regional-dialect film “Dear You” officially hit big screens in Thailand and Indonesia. Directed by Lan Hongchun, a Chaoshan-region filmmaker from southern China’s Guangdong Province, the movie touched audiences with its sincere, heartfelt storyline.

“I feel very touched. I feel very proud. I feel very proud of my grandparents. My grandparents are from Fujian,” said Vincent, an Indonesian-Chinese viewer.

The film centers on “qiaopi”, a unique form of correspondence that combined letters and remittances sent home by earlier generations of overseas Chinese in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Set against the distinct backdrop of Teochew Chinese culture, the narrative highlights the historic diaspora experience, capturing universal themes of displacement, nostalgia, and memories passed down through generations.

The story reached audiences in Indonesia with the help of local film distribution company PT. Prima Cinema Multimedia.

“PT. Prima decided to introduce ‘Dear You’ to Indonesia because we saw its huge market potential in China and several Asian markets. So when we saw the movie, we felt that it could have a positive impact,” said Sasha, marketing manager of the company.

According to statistics from the National Film Administration, as of July 25, the overseas box office of the low-budget film has exceeded 80 million yuan (about 11.8 million U.S. dollars).

The global popularity of “Dear You” is not an isolated case. Chinese films have seen accelerated global expansion this year.

A Chinese animated film “All Wishes Come True,” inspired by the legend of the Eight Immortals, will arrive in cinemas in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea on August 13. It will then open in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands the following day.

Industry experts noted that beyond traditional overseas markets such as North America, Chinese films have expanded into emerging markets in Africa and Eastern Europe in the first half of this year.

“In the first half of 2026, more than 20 Chinese films have been released overseas, representing growth compared to 2025. Films like ‘Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert,’ and ‘Silent Awakening’ debuted in over 200 theaters in North America, representing a remarkably high scale for individual Chinese film overseas releases,” said Weng Yang, an associate professor at Beijing Film Academy.

Chinese films have also undergone a systematic upgrade in their overseas outreach pathways since the beginning of this year, with Chinese film and television institutions beginning to establish independent overseas distribution channels and networks.

“IP operation is no longer limited to one-time copyright sales of individual works. Instead, most new productions are planned with a global vision from the initial creative stage. This model greatly boosts the development of serial film works and realizes the sustainable release of long-term value,” explained Huai Wei, Deputy Manager of China Film Co-production Corporation.