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In a 2,000-square-meter immersive hall during an entertainment technology show, intelligent robots danced to street beats alongside the contrasting movements of Chinese martial arts tai chi.

High-precision sound, light and electrical technologies integrated multiple elements into a cohesive system, while a capsule-like layout created a sense of cosmic vastness in a limited space during the show.

It was not a sci-fi movie set. It was the latest version of the Ultimate Show at the Guangzhou Entertainment Technology Show, which concluded in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, in early April.

The show, jointly created by Ruifeng Culture, a Guangzhou-based cultural and arts service company, and other organizations, integrated diverse elements including robotics, piano, tai chi and street dance.

"We do not intend to create the show just as a lighting and audio performance," said Huang Peiling, general manager of Ruifeng Culture.

The show also systematically integrated professional performance equipment and technologies such as lighting, sound, computer numerical control mechanical devices and LED screens, delivering a highly audiovisual experience.

"The show aimed to break away from the traditional equipment-only sales model. We want to promote a market approach integrating products, content and service for the performing arts equipment industry," said Huang, who is also president of the Guangzhou Cultural and Tourism Equipment Industry Association.

In addition to the Ultimate Show, the exhibition also featured large-scale original themed light shows that fused technology and art to create narrative-driven performances through lighting technologies.

After 15 years of development, the entertainment technology show has evolved from a regional professional exhibition into an annual benchmark event for the global performance equipment industry.

This year's exhibition spanned more than 150,000 square meters and featured 14 specialized halls, comprehensively covering the core segments of the industry chain.

Professional lighting and audio, LED displays, conference systems, stage effects and stage machinery were prominently showcased. The event also hosted more than 100 light and shadow shows, high-end forums and competitions.

"By achieving breakthroughs in specific areas, we can drive the rise of the entire industry chain, providing a replicable path for upgrading the cultural, sports and tourism sectors nationwide," she said.

The market-oriented model, which integrates industry chains through immersive light and shadow spaces, has provided innovative support for opening and closing ceremonies of major cultural and sports events.

The technical logic and artistic presentation methods were also applied to international cultural and sports events, such as the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, Hainan province, in late April.

"We hope to showcase the integrated services and advantages of Guangdong's performance equipment through the presentation of technology, the application of science and artistic expression in a performance format," said Wei Lai, vice-president of the Guangzhou Cultural and Tourism Equipment Industry Association and producer of the Ultimate Show.

The performing arts equipment industry in Guangdong, an economic powerhouse in South China, has been transitioning from simply selling equipment to offering services, content and experiences, according to industry insiders.

"There is strong supply and demand in the current domestic performance market, with both quantity and quality on the rise," said Liu Kezhi, president of China Association of Performing Arts.

Guangdong, as the core base of the national performance equipment industry, plays a crucial role in the development of cutting-edge technologies in the performing arts sector, Liu said.

"The prosperity of the market relies heavily on the development of cutting-edge technologies," Liu said.

Guangdong is home to more than 85 percent of the country's performance equipment companies, contributing to 80 percent of the national total output value of the performing arts equipment industry, according to the association.

Cover image: Guangzhou Daily