A leading Chinese association for science has reaffirmed support for the science fiction sector, China Daily reported Monday.
It quoted Huai Jinpeng, a top official of the China Association for Science and Technology, as saying measures such as training sci-fi writers, establishing awards, adapting sci-fi novels into other mediums and promoting international collaborations are crucial for the sector.
He said compared with other sci-fi powerhouses, China was still lacking in terms of the number of both sci-fi writers and high-quality works.
"Science popularization and fiction are the foundation for scientific development, and bridge for upholding and conveying the scientific spirit and dream," Huai said, adding that more quality sci-fi works will inspire young people to be interested in the wonders of science.
Last year, China's sci-fi market value reached 45.6 billion yuan (about 6.5 billion U.S. dollars), with revenues from publications and movies both rising more than 60 percent, China Daily reported, citing a report by the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen.