Rice Fish receives a special award at the Busan Content Market Global Pitching in South Korea. [Photo/Tide News]

The animated series Rice Fish received a special award at the Busan Content Market Global Pitching in South Korea on May 23.

This Chinese production, backed by Qingtian Agricultural Tourism Investment Co in Lishui, Zhejiang province, was recognized for its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The show draws inspiration from the rice-fish symbiosis system, China's first Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System from Qingtian county in Lishui. Using a fairy-tale anthropomorphic approach set in underwater rice fields, it follows the adventures of Doudou and Qianli, two local rice fishes, and koi fish Susu, who returns home to rediscover its roots.

The production integrates local cultural characteristics like stone carving, fish lantern dances, and coffee culture, presenting a beautiful picture of rice-fish symbiosis.

By participating in the Busan Content Market, the animated series Rice Fish not only introduced the story of the rice-fish symbiosis system to a global audience but also promoted ideas like biodiversity conservation and fostering a shared future for humanity.

This exposure has opened up new opportunities for cultural and tourism development in Qingtian, serving as a cultural bridge for the region to the world.

Moving forward, Qingtian aims to leverage the success of the animation to create more cultural products related to the rice-fish symbiosis system, attracting more tourists to the county.