Vloggers and bloggers from across the globe find the support they need in a city that gives them plenty to share with their fans, Zheng Zheng reports in Shanghai.

When Alessandro Conti first launched his Douyin account in 2018, he simply wanted to share his travel moments in China with his family back home in Italy. About eight years later, he has built a following of 700,000 across various platforms and become part of a growing community of international content creators who choose Shanghai as their creative base.

"I started Douyin because I was traveling frequently for business and wanted to document my life," says the Shanghai-based creator at the 2026 Top Creators Gala held in Shanghai in May.

"What began as videos for my family evolved into something much bigger — a bridge between cultures, sharing real experiences between Italy and China."

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Conti's journey reflects Shanghai's emergence as China's premier content creation ecosystem. The city now hosts nearly 20 percent of the country's top multichannel networks (MCNs), ranking first nationwide.

Shanghai's magnetic pull for digital talent is supported by industry data. According to the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Radio and Television, the city's online audiovisual industry reached 253 billion yuan ($37.3 billion) in 2025, solidifying its position as one of China's primary digital markets.

The Shanghai Commerce Commission reports that the city's livestreaming e-commerce retail sales topped 493.7 billion yuan in 2024, a 12.9 percent year-on-year increase, accounting for 10.5 percent of the national total.

This thriving backdrop served as the foundation for the recent gala, which gathered hundreds of internet content creators and industry leaders from around the globe in Shanghai to explore strategies for creating meaningful digital narratives that transcend borders.

"Being a content creator in Shanghai is incredibly exciting work," says Greg, a French content creator who has lived in China for nearly two decades. "New ideas emerge every single day."

"In my 18 years here, I've never been bored. Shanghai isn't just where I live; it's my source of inspiration, my workplace, my everything," he says.

Sergejs Sinkins, a Latin dance judge-turned-content creator known to netizens as "Mr Ferrari" for his elegant demeanor, emphasizes authentic human connection.

"We love to share life experiences as bloggers," he says. "The most important thing for us is the people around us. The people here are so open, friendly, and soulful. Even when we can't communicate in Chinese, we understand each other."

For Conti, whose content spans food, culture and entrepreneurship, authenticity resonates most deeply. "Having lived 12 years in China and 18 years in Italy, I can explain each country to the other," he says.

His videos featuring everyday moments, from stray cats wandering into his gelato shop to encounters and interviews with local residents, have struck a chord with international audiences seeking genuine glimpses of Chinese life.

Shanghai's rise as a global creator hub is backed by institutional policy. The gala marked nearly one year since Shanghai launched several measures to support the creation of high-quality internet content.

In September 2025, the city further announced funding guidelines offering up to 2 million yuan for high-profile brand activities and up to 100,000 yuan in rewards for quality content-creation projects, along with creative resources, distribution channels and service support.

Building on this foundation, two new initiatives were unveiled during the event. The Shanghai internet quality content empowerment plan offers creators access to resources, collaboration channels and dedicated support to help them establish roots in the city. Simultaneously, major platforms, including Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, Tencent, and others, announced the 2026 co-creation plan to provide expanded opportunities and resources.

Wang Xiao, a content creator specializing in politics and history, describes Shanghai's unique advantages: "Creating content here feels both supportive and progressive."

The city constantly finds ways to let everyone focus on creation without other worries, he says, noting that with many platforms and peers, there is a clustering effect that allows mutual exchange and better content through interaction and competition.

Cultural content creator Yu Fu characterizes Shanghai as a creative gold mine. "Content creation in Shanghai is very fulfilling because the environment is relaxed. You can basically film whatever you want," he says.

"We never lack material here. For instance, you'll see buildings with a rich history while simply walking down the street," Yu adds. "For me, Shanghai is like a huge chocolate mountain. If you like sweets, every bite is satisfying."

"Creators' inspirations are always divergent. We want to combine more content that ordinary audiences enjoy watching," says Wang Yiran, founder of Turing's Cat Studio, which focuses on artificial intelligence.

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"As AI creators, our topics extend beyond AI itself to different fields," he explains. "We've collaborated on projects combining AI with gaming, and we're planning future work in public welfare to help people with disabilities.

"What we need to do is ground the content in reality and make it meaningful and helpful, or bring educational value," says Wang.

For Iranian creator Mahya Mirsadeghi, who focuses on Chinese language and cultural exchange, the city's continuous evolution is the story itself. Having witnessed Shanghai's rapid transformation since her first visit in 2018, she remains clear on her mission.

"Shanghai has changed profoundly over the years," Mirsadeghi says. "My goal is simple: to show the real China to the rest of the world."

Contact the writer at zhengzheng@chinadaily.com.cn