What is it like to participate in sci-fi convention in China?

What could bring fans of Star Wars, Star Trek and Doctor Who together? 

A film screening event? Or a comic convention? 

Well, if you happened to be at the China Science and Technology Museum last weekend, the answer showed itself.

This is how you strike a conversation with Supreme Leader Snoke's Praetorian Guard.[Photo: IC]

At the art gallery of the Asia-Pacific Science Fiction Convention, a volunteer showcases all the badge ribbons that she has collected. [Photo:CRI]

This is the Asia-Pacific Science Fiction Convention, the first of its kind to be held in Beijing. 

Designed as a platform for exchanges among writers, film makers and scientists from the Asia-Pacific region, the convention not only attracted nearly a hundred panellists from over a dozen countries and regions over two days, but also brought in over two thousand local science fiction enthusiasts, fuelled by both curiosity and the love for their favorite parts of the genre.

In a panel called "Ten Years with 'Three-Body'", Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin(centre) poses for photos with his fans on May 19,2018.[Photo: IC]

Chinese writer Moxiong signs autographs for his readers on May 20,2018.[Photo: CRI]

A stellar line-up of sci-fi heavyweights also came together during the two-day event, including the Hugo-award winning Chinese author Liu Cixin, internationally renowned American writer Terry Bisson and Canadian sci-fi veteran Peter Watts. 

Writers and industry insiders from around the world discuss the issues in international cooperative publishing on May 20, 2018. [Photo: CRI]

Multi-award winning American science fiction and fantasy writer Terry Bisson attends the Asia-Pacific Science Fiction Convention in Beijing, China on May 20, 2018. [Photo: IC]

But what exactly were those big shots discussing? And which part of the convention was the biggest crowd pleaser? 

Our reporter Shiyu, herself a die-hard sci-fi buff, was on hand during the event. To answer all the questions, she sat down with Ninjing and Sirui, both hosts from the daily program StudioPlus, to take us through the exciting events at the Asia-Pacific Science Fiction Convention. 

For more information, you can download our podcast, by searching the keywords Ink&Quill on iTunes. In the extended version, you will hear some panelists at the sci-fi con voice their opinion on Chinese science fiction and its future.