The poster of the Happies Huncao TV drama Photo: Courtesy of the Perfect Word

Multiple Chinese television dramas revolving around the Belt and Road Initiative (#BRI) are set to make their debut, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the initiative.

They include dramas produced by the Perfect World about Chinese medical teams serving abroad in Africa and China's Juncao technology, which has benefited over 100 countries, especially developing countries.

Juncao, meaning fungi and grass literally, was invented in the 1980s by Lin Zhanxi, a professor at China's Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and credited as the "father of Juncao." His pioneering work involves the utilization of crop straw instead of timber for the cultivation of edible fungi like shiitake mushrooms and enoki mushrooms.

The innovative technique not only reduced deforestation and lowered farming costs, but also facilitated advancements in ecological management, mycological animal feed, and mycological fertilizers. So far, a total of 270 Juncao training programs have been organized by China both at home and abroad, cultivating over 10,000 people who are now qualified to popularize Juncao technology in as many as 18 languages, according to a Wednesday report by the Xinhua News Agency.

Happiness Juncao is inspired by the real-life journey of Lin in promoting Juncao technology abroad. This TV drama vividly portrays the cross-border impact of Juncao technology and its contribution to the well-being of local populations along the Belt and Road.

The production team went to great lengths to ensure the authenticity of their storytelling. They conducted extensive research and on-site visits in Fujian and Yunnan provinces, and the Republic of Fiji, with a focus on showcasing the real process of the cultivation of Juncao.

The creative team also sought the guidance and support of Professor Lin and his team. Under the guidance of these professionals, the production team recreated the techniques used by the Juncao team, including cultivation technologies in the original process. They also showed various production steps before mushroom cultivation, such as drying, bagging and sterilization.

Welcome to Milele Village Photo: Courtesy of the Perfect Word

Production of Welcome to Milele Village was recently wrapped up in the Serengeti grasslands of Africa. Standing as the first Sino-African cooperative TV project in the history of Chinese TV dramas, this remarkable production is also a tribute to the 60th anniversary of China's medical aid to foreign countries, highlighting the selfless dedication of Chinese medical teams serving abroad in Africa.

In the early stages, the creative team selected more than one hundred foreign aid doctors from China's medical teams in Mali, Tanzania, Senegal and thirty other African countries, accumulated millions of words of textual information, and meticulously adapted and created stories of foreign aid medical treatment, which provided a solid foundation for the subsequent filming.

After completing domestic filming in July, the cast and crew, totaling more than 170 members, officially transitioned to Tanzania for a month-long shoot, involving over 1,200 local actors.

In August, President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan received the crew and presented them with a certificate for "special contribution to friendship between Tanzania and China."

A total of seven TV dramas commemorating the BRI have been coordinated by the National Radio and Television Administration.

Global Times