China's groundbreaking documentary "Chinese White Dolphin" made its nationwide debut this week, offering an unprecedented look at one of Asia's most iconic marine species. Produced through a collaboration between China Media Group, Guangdong Radio and Television, and Zhuhai Media Group, the 82-minute film represents six years of intensive research and filming across four continents.
The documentary spotlights the Chinese white dolphin – a species carrying national symbolic significance, with over 4,500 residing in Chinese waters. More than 2,000 inhabit the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, where rapid coastal development has made conservation efforts increasingly vital.
Through the journey of a dolphin named Zhuzhu, filmmakers weave a narrative connecting ecological preservation with regional cooperation. The production features stunning underwater footage captured during 100+ offshore shoots spanning Chinese coastal provinces and international waters, supported by research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Director Yan Dong emphasized the film's dual mission: "We're documenting not just a species' survival, but the interconnectedness of human development and marine ecosystems." The timing coincides with recent environmental initiatives announced during this year's 15th National Games preparations, reinforcing China's growing focus on sustainable coastal development.
