Sci-fi fans from around the world gather at Chengdu WorldCon

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows a scene of the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.(Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

CHENGDU, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) opened on Wednesday in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention, which is one of the most anticipated, longest-running and largest sci-fi events in the world.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world.

Chengdu has made great efforts in recent years to develop its sci-fi culture industry and establish itself as China's science fiction base. It was selected to host the 2023 WorldCon in December 2021. ■

A performer interacts with a robot dog at Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows an art installation at Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

People visit Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows an interior view of Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows a scene of the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows a scene of the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Sci-fi fans pose for photos at Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows a drone show during the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Actors perform a sci-fi show during the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

Performers dance during the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

People visit the Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A model presents an artwork at Chengdu Science Fiction Museum, the main venue for the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 18, 2023. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows a drone show during the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows a scene of the opening ceremony of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The 81st WorldCon opened here on Wednesday. Chengdu is the second city in Asia and the first in China to host the convention.

Themed "Meet the Future," Chengdu WorldCon will highlight the symbiotic relationship between science fiction and the city, presenting over 200 activities, panels and salons, the Hugo Awards, and themed exhibitions occupying an area of 5,000 square meters.

Famous sci-fi writers from around the world, including Hugo Award winners Liu Cixin and Robert J. Sawyer, are attending the five-day event, sharing their knowledge of new technology and their visions of a new world. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)