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Roundup: China-EU Cultural Creative Industry Forum opened in Antwerp

Xinhua, December 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

The first China-EU forum highlighting the cultural creative industries was held on Monday in Antwerp, largely recognized as one of most celebrated capitals of fashion in Europe.

The forum, hosted by the China Institute for Cultural Trade Research and the European Federation of Traditional Chinese Culture, brought together scholars and industry professionals who shared practices from both China and the European Union (EU) at Antwerp Central Station.

Under the theme of "Cultural trade and urban renewal: new engine of the cooperative development by China-European Union cooperation," the experts offered advice on how to better cooperation between EU and China, as well as detailed project implementation plans based on their competitive industries.

Schramme Annick, professor of Antwerp Management School at the University of Antwerp, said the creative industry in Flanders represented a successful example of European creativity, which was the main input for the creation of economic added value.

"We define our creative industry as three dimensions which stimulate one another for common development: the cultural heritage, media and entertainment, and the creative service providers like fashion design, architecture and communication," she said, expressing her expectations of working together with Chinese creative industries to better promote the development models.

Shao Changchun, president of International Union of Artists for Peace, said that the Chinese traditional culture was entering as one of the most competitive products of the international cultural market.

"China has a long history of culture, the key lies in the transformation from culture to competitiveness, which needs better understanding and integration of the world's culture while mastering business skills," said Shao.

Jan de Hallewijin, the former Consul General of Belgium in Guangzhou, stressed the importance of cultural exchanges and seeing China as a diverse country. He suggested that Antwerp, as a city well-known for fashion, should attract more Chinese students in the field.

The experts from China also shared their creative practices on cultural tourism, internet-based film festivals, and the development of "featured towns" in China, while the Belgian professionals introduced the creative economy in Antwerp and design platforms.

A total of three sessions of the forum will be held in different Belgian cities from Dec. 5 to 7. The second session will be held at the College of Europe in Bruges, while the third will be held at the Chinese Mission to the EU in Brussels. Endit