Soft power leads the way

More creative zones are being developed in Beijing and around the country.

These are similar to 22 International Art District, near Baiziwan and home to indie record company Modern Sky; and Shang Bar, near Wanda Plaza, for fashion companies.

Wang Xiaoyun, director and research fellow at the Regional Research Center of the Cultural Industries Institute of Peking University, says 20 of these cultural areas are being constructed in Beijing, more than 40 in Shanghai, and more than 50 in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

"The creative industry has been developed for less than 10 years in China, but at a really fast pace," says Wang, who is a consultant to Beijing municipal government on creative industry zones.

"Take 798 art district for example, it is mature and has developed into more than just an art area," Wang says.

"You can watch movies, have dinner and coffee as well as visit galleries. The new creative industry zones take 798 as a model and go further with other functions," like tourism.

This brings opportunities for investors and stimulates consumption, Wang says, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

She says development of the culture industry will boost the country's soft power and the country's market share in the global cultural industry.

"The government wants to use the platform to attract visitors from home and abroad to propel cultural economic development," Wang says.

China Daily

(China Daily 12/28/2009 page10)