30/12/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | DEC 30, 2025

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Marching for friendship C GTN will release its new documentary When We March Together in January 2026, offering a refreshing look at China–US relations through the lens of youth and music. The film highlights a o Youth, music, future of China–US relations

Chinese series across C-Series, C-Anime, C-Variety and C-Shorts, complemented by localised originals tailored for key international markets. It will continue to deepen its focus on local original productions, bringing fresher and more diverse Asian storytelling experiences to audiences worldwide. It will also deepen collaborations with regional and international partners through local productions, licensing and revenue-sharing models, enabling high-quality content to reach more markets. The platform will also introduce a wider selection of mass-appeal variety shows to cater to local viewing preferences and drive further audience growth across regions. Following Chuang Asia , WeTV is set to premiere a new slate of locally produced variety shows – innovative in genre and creative execution – marking industry firsts in Thailand. Among the upcoming titles are the psychic programme Beyond Sight (tentative title), a bold and experimental dating show Love (X) , the world’s first male duo live reality show Way to You and Tasteful Thailand , created by the team behind the acclaimed Once Upon a Bite . 0 Connect through experience: Enriching fan engagement Decades later, Wilson continues to bring American students to China, nurturing ties that span generations. His daughter Riley joined the latest group of visiting students, carrying forward this legacy. In an age where information transcends distance, Wilson still emphasises the importance of personal connections. “We need more face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball interaction and less relying on the phone. Screens don’t always show the truth – but meeting someone does,” he said. Decade-long musical reunion A key moment in When We March Together is the reunion between Beijing 57 High School and Valley Christian High School from California. In 2013, the two schools made history at the Pasadena Rose Parade by forming the East Meets West Fusion Band – the first Chinese– American high school marching ensemble to perform jointly in the New Year’s celebration. Todd Ryan, the band’s US visual director, recalled the impact: “Each band wasn’t very large on its own, but when you combined them, the musicians were joyful to hear so much more volume. When you join together, it’s a powerful statement.” The documentary revisits this shared history as the students reunite after more than a decade. Their performances – and the effortless camaraderie that quickly forms – bring the story “full circle”, highlighting the enduring power of collaboration. Putting future in young hands For the students, music serves a

WETV, the international streaming platform by Tencent Video, has unveiled its 2026 global strategy anchored on content, connect and co-create as it aims to serve as a cultural bridge between Asia and the world, delivering premium entertainment experiences while empowering creators and fans worldwide. WeTV is entering 2026 with strong global momentum, contributing to the foundation of Tencent Video’s 114 million paid subscribers. Throughout 2025, the platform delivered robust business performance, achieving double-digit year-on-year growth in subscription revenue. With 85% of people streaming daily and viewers spending an average of 82 minutes per day on online video, global habits continue to shift toward digital content and drive rising interest in Asian storytelling. The momentum shows in the way global audiences champion Asian stories and Chinese dramas are finding fans well beyond Asia. 2026 strategies 0 Content excellence: Delivering premium originals with global appeal In 2026, WeTV will build a stronger global footprint by expanding its content slate with more than 500 lesser-explored facet of the bilateral relationship – one driven by youthful energy, cooperation and shared creativity. The documentary follows three American high school marching band students on an immersive journey across China. As they travel, rehearse and perform with their Chinese counterparts, the young musicians forge connections that go beyond the stage. Their experience underscores the power of youth exchange and cultural collaboration in shaping the future of ties between the two countries. Friendship that breaks down walls At the core of the documentary is the story of American music director Jeff Wilson, who first travelled to China in 1987 as a student musician performing on the Great Wall – an event that became a pivotal moment in early cultural exchanges between the two nations. “The beautiful thing we experienced in 1987 is that whenever we make music together, it immediately breaks down the walls. It completely changed my perspective of the world. America and China – we’re all the same,” Wilson said in the documentary.

The documentary follows three American high school marching band students on an immersive journey across China.

bridge divides. In 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a five-year initiative to invite 50,000 American students to China. The programme gives young people from both nations the chance to meet, often for the first time, and form their own impressions, separate from political narratives. As the documentary observes: “These students are quietly shaping a future where friendship and understanding might finally take centre stage.” When youth from both nations march together, they are not just creating music – they are composing the future. telecommunications providers. Looking ahead “Our global expansion is guided by markets that show strong, diverse engagement with Asian content, and Southeast Asia is a standout example of that momentum. Its rapid streaming adoption and openness to stories from across the region reflect the wider global shift we’re seeing, reinforcing Southeast Asia’s role as a key benchmark as we continue to scale internationally,” said Tencent Video vice president Jeff Han. The appointment of Chinese actor and actress Ding Yuxi and Meng Ziyi as WeTV global ambassadors marks a pivotal step in connecting Asian stars with global audiences, alongside global ambassador Zhou Yiran, who actively engage fans through international appearances and social activations. Looking ahead, WeTV’s 2026 strategy reflects its focus on premium content, global fan engagement and creator empowerment, positioning the platform as a global OTT player. Backed by Tencent’s technological backbone and a robust content pipeline, WeTV aims to redefine how Asian entertainment connects with the world.

from Clarksburg High School. “Marching toward a wonderful future means putting the future in our children’s hands. They know how to treat people – and they do it well. Sometimes the adults just need to back off. Let the kids do it,” said Thomas S. Wootton High School director of bands Susan Eckerle. Youth exchange during challenging times Beyond its musical performances, When We March Together highlights the vital role youth exchanges can play in shaping China–US relations. The documentary shows how personal interactions can build lasting understanding and help

universal language. “Even if you don’t speak the same language, you’re playing the same one,” said drummer Thomas Trinh. “You can show off individually, but as a full group, you create something powerful. You learn to trust each other. Collaboration is more fun than competitiveness,” Daniel Hankins added. This spirit of unity resonates across China and the US. “Marching means moving forward. When we march together, so does the friendship between our nations,” said Yang Guandao from Beijing 57 High School. “Finding what unites us, rather than divides us,” added Aadit Saraogi

WeTV aiming to be streaming hub for premium Asian entertainment

WeTV will be expanding its content slate with more than 500 Chinese series.

and sustain meaningful, long-term engagement worldwide. 0 Strengthening regional partnerships and business growth WeTV has collaborated with telecommunication providers across Southeast Asia, including Astro and Unifi in Malaysia. In 2025, WeTV expanded its B2B partnerships throughout Pan-Asia, launching VIP membership bundles in collaboration with key

across markets In 2026, WeTV will elevate user engagement through enhanced in-app Livestream and online-to-offline experiences that bring fans closer to their favourite stars and shows across global markets. The platform will host international fan meetings with leading Chinese artistes, organise exclusive fan trips to China and expand community-driven activities to strengthen fandom culture