The contenders for the award comprise 17 Chinese actors who are competing for 15 positions.
The opening play was Gu Wenchang by the National Theater of China, which was about the life of Gu Wenchang, the first official who advocated the fight against desertification by planting trees.
Chinese actor Xin Baiqing, who plays the role of Gu, is one of the nominees for the Plum Blossom Award.
