After the Cultural Revolution ended, Mainland China welcomed, a new era of Reform and Openness, generating waves of aesthetic and cultural changes. Since the 1990s, the Chinese government has introduced many competitions and prizes to promote creative works of literature and performing arts. Reflecting broad social changes and responding to government incentives, the Mainland Chinese theaters started producing many innovative shows. Some would critically comment on social and political practices of the past, and some would respond to current and governmental calls for works that highlight main motives (zhu xuanlü) of the time. Since the 2000s, when UNESCO honored kunqu and Peking opera as intangible cultural heritages, the Chinese government and theatrical institutions have strived to train young performers and safeguard traditional repertoires. Subsequently, a number of positive new developments have emerged.

Image: "Han Xin's Success and Failure" performed by Shanghai Peking Opera Theatre