Chinese actor Zhang Songwen has been inducted into Madame Tussauds Beijing, with his wax figure unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday, coinciding with the wax museum's 10th anniversary since opening in China's capital.

Actor Zhang Songwen and Wang Rui, the general manager of Merlin Entertainments Beijing, pose with Zhang's wax figure for a photo at an unveiling ceremony held at Madame Tussauds Beijing in Beijing, April 11, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Madame Tussauds Beijing]

Hundreds of fans gathered outside the museum, cheering for Zhang upon his arrival. The actor, humbled by the warm welcome, greeted his fans before stressing that he is merely an actor and expressing hope that the museum would induct more individuals from less celebrated fields who contribute greatly to the country, such as scientists.

Born on May 10, 1976, in Shaoguan, Guangdong province, Zhang is a seasoned actor known for his accomplished acting skills. Not considering himself naturally gifted, Zhang attributes his success to intensive study and life experiences. Since his admission to the Beijing Film Academy at 25, he has built a notable career, with his stardom soaring in recent years thanks to roles in hit TV series and films such as "The Knockout," "The Bad Kids," "Break Through the Darkness," "The Pioneer," and "The Best is Yet to Come."

Zhang's wax figure, unveiled on Thursday, depicts him in a relaxed, real-life pose, sitting and reading a book. The actor praised the figure and recalled sitting still for four hours while the Madame Tussauds artists took measurements. Zhang also contributed his own idea by recording a short audio message of himself reading the book, which will be played on rotation at his wax figure zone.

Madame Tussauds Beijing, located on the landmark pedestrian street of Qianmen, features more than 10 themed zones filled with iconic wax figures. The museum has been upgraded with multimedia technologies, including augmented reality and virtual reality, to provide more interactions and entertainment.

"Ten years ago, we introduced the world-famous Madame Tussauds to Beijing. Over the years, this museum has kept pace with China's development, highlighting Chinese characteristics, dedicating itself to the inheritance of local culture, and expressing the Chinese national spirit. Through wax figures of leaders in various fields, we demonstrate Madame Tussauds Beijing's understanding of the times and also showcase the power of role models to visitors from all over the world," said Wang Rui, the general manager of Merlin Entertainments Beijing.

Actor Zhang Songwen's wax figure is placed at a designated location inside Madame Tussauds Beijing for visitors and fans to admire on April 11, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Madame Tussauds Beijing]

"At such an important time for Madame Tussauds Beijing, we hope Mr. Zhang Songwen's wax figure can accompany every young person pressing forward, shining on their own paths. We also hope to share stories about 'passion and perseverance' with more young people together with Mr. Zhang," added Wang.

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