China leads creative economy growth

China's exports of creative goods "grew at double the global average between 2002 and 2015", according to the agency's report.

China had a drop-off in 2015, but "despite the drop, China has dominated the bulk of the trade in creative goods" through 2015, it said.

China's annual average growth from 2002 to 2015 was 14 percent, and its performance during that period buoyed the global creative economy through difficult periods, the report said.

China's exports of creative goods in 2015 alone totaled $168.5 billion — four times those of the United States, it said.

Cui Qiao, president of the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation, said the relationship between the creative industry and people's livelihoods and the education industry is "extremely close".

Cui said "the new generation of leading Chinese companies shows a new look in the openness of international cooperation".

For example, companies such as online video platform iQiyi, mobile video and photography company Meitu and tech giant Tencent integrate their operations well with big data, youth culture, product development and marketing, Cui added.

Simon Collins, founder and CEO of WeDesign, said the rapid development of China's creative industry is linked to the rise of the smartphone, which he said has enabled people to "see everything in the world".

"So their tastes are becoming more elevated … and the critical thing here is they are appreciating quality much more," said Collins, who also has been dean of the fashion school at the Parsons School of Design in New York City and a designer and creative director for brands such as Nike, Polo and Zegna.

According to the UNCTAD report, "The main creative industry development and innovation sectors to watch are design, fashion and film, which account for the lion's share in the world trade in creative goods.

"As the Chinese economy grows, its creative goods and services are set to grow in tandem and will have a lasting impact on trade and high cultural influence," the report said.