As more and more Chinese people return to their pre-pandemic leisure habits, local cultural and tourism bureaus in various parts of the country are exploring new and creative ways to attract tourists. Some bureau bosses have made themselves stars with costume dances, impromptu singing, and historical reenactments. Others resorted to the influence of celebrities, asking for their help to introduce culture and tourist sites.

What does such competition tell us about today's China? Apart from tourism, what other opportunities are presenting themselves for cities and provinces in China that are transforming from a reliance on heavy industry to high-quality development? Host Liu Kun is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Professor Doug Guthrie, Director of China Initiatives at Thunderbird School of Global Management; Mike Bastin, China observer and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton.