'Belt and Road' boosts Chinese cultural industry
A symposium setting out to better implement the Belt and Road Cultural Development Action Plan (2016-2020) by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and support key projects and enterprises through lectures and presentations, was held at the Beijing-based Central Academy of Cultural Administration between April 23 and 27.
During the seminar, over 40 key projects, covering many fields of the creative cultural industry, were chosen as finalists to give presentations on their projects.
Chinaculture.org interviewed five project managers who shared their enterprises’ understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Interviewee: Jiang Cong, Director of President Office, Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture Co., Ltd.
“As one of the pioneers in the Chinese animation industry, Alpha founded overseas project department as early as 2000. Through attaching great importance to global market expansion as the core strategy of the company, Alpha has strived to promote international cultural trade cooperation in past years.”
“At present, Alpha has made exchanges with more than 20 countries that participate in the Belt and Road Initiative in the fields of animation broadcasting, toy sales, intellectual property authorization, project research and development.”
“Cultural confidence not only refers to the behavior of going out, but bringing in. Alpha not only helps China-made cartoon character Super Wings reach more audiences in the overseas market, but introduces iconic cartoon characters and their derivative products to China, SpongeBob and Peppa Pig included.”
Interviewee: Xue Jinsheng, General Director of Heilongjiang Acrobatic Troupe Co., Ltd.
“President Xi Jinping once said invaluable assets not only include clear waters and lush mountains, but the frozen and snow-covered land in Heilongjiang province. Therefore, Heilongjiang Acrobatic Troupe makes full use of the geographic advantages and integrates Chinese traditional acrobatics with ice and snow performance, and it works well.”
“Acrobatics on ice are a scarce resource in the performing market. The art has distinct regional characteristics and great potential for market expansion, both at home and abroad. In recent years, the troupe has toured in the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Japan and Portugal, and their performances are well-received in each country. Therefore, we have confidence more countries will see the charm of ice acrobatics.”
“In 2019, Heilongjiang Acrobatic Troupe is about to start a new world tour. Through brilliant performance and cultural expression, ice acrobatics will show the world Heilongjiang, and demonstrate Chinese culture as a whole.”
Interviewee: Ma Yinji, Manager of of Foreign Trade Department, Anhui Keemun Black Tea Development Co., Ltd.
“As a modern enterprise integrating tea research, planting, production, sales and tea culture inheritance, Anhui Keemun Black Tea Development Co., Ltd has risen to be an exhibition site to show the culture of Keemun black tea, identified as a national intangible cultural heritage.”
“It goes without saying the bond between Chinese people and tea is close. As an integral part of Chinese tea, Keemun black tea has many stories, especially for foreigners. Therefore, the company has made up its mind not only to offer the taste of black tea, but tell the stories behind the tea.”
“The company’s products and services are provided to overseas consumers through close cooperation with business partners in over 10 countries and regions, such as the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Guinea and Togo.”
“In the future, the company is willing to conduct more business and cultural exchanges with counterparts from more countries and regions, thanks to the policy support of the initiative.”
Interviewee: Yan Zhiguo, Vice President of Hebei Bainianqiaojiang Cultural Communication Co., Ltd.
“The enterprise inherits Chinese traditional handicraft techniques such as mounting, pyrograph, carving and colored drawing, being creatively combined with modern technologies to develop the wood mosaic painting art, suitable for art collections in both personal and public spaces.”
“In 2016, the company signed an agreement worth $35 million with its American counterpart. The two sides agreed to set up a joint-stock culture company to build a cultural creative product exhibition center at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, providing a platform for Chinese traditional culture and creative products.”
“In recent years, China has upholded the spirit of craftsmanship, to boost manufacturing industries through innovation and the making of high quality products. As a practitioner of this spirit, the company has eyes on the global market and plans to cooperate with more countries and regions that participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.”
Interviewee: Zhang Xingwu, Project Manager of Wujiang Dingsheng Silk Co., Ltd.
“In 2015, the company was invited to participate in the 42rd Milan Expo and Milan Fashion Week. The company’s brand Saint Joy Songjin has attracted attention from the European fashion industry. One of the event organizers, the European Design Center, was very interested in the Chinese Song brocades product. Our company also longs to open up the overseas market, introducing advanced fashion design and brand promotion ideas to China. Therefore, we agreed to be partners in the future.”
“On August 30, 2016, the Saint Joy Songjin European Design Center was established. Through cooperation between domestic technicians and overseas designers, international fashion elements have been added to traditional Chinese Song brocades products.”
“As small-and-medium-sized enterprises, overseas channels are limited to us. To this end, we actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Our products are honored to be national gifts presented to other countries on many formal diplomatic occasions. I think it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the world to know more about Chinese Song brocades and its industry.”
Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/02/WS5ae966aba3105cdcf651b942_6.html