Cultural enterprises entertain CIFTIS visitors as it plans for future

Chaoyang district, one of the most dynamic areas in Beijing, has showcased its latest achievements in tourism and cultural services during the China International Fair for Trade in Services, which is being held in the capital.

At the exhibition on tourism services, which is located in the basement of the National Convention Center and covers 10,000 square meters, the district has set up a 330 sq m pavilion.

"It focuses on fashion and fun, with its four sections showcasing Chaoyang's achievements, fashion trends, history and stories of the Olympics," said Li Qiang, deputy head of the district's bureau of culture and tourism.

Visitors have the chance to learn about the history of the Grand Canal via a touch screen, be entertained by snow and ice events in a virtual reality experience and master techniques for sorting waste by watching an animated show.

As a gift, they are offered a map of Chaoyang district that pinpoints the most popular spots and travel routes on social media, said a staff member of the district government at the pavilion.

More than 10 inheritors of national intangible cultural heritage have been invited to perform.

In 2019, the district's total tourism revenue reached 140.17 billion yuan ($20.52 billion). The district received 60.46 million tourists that year, ranking first in the city.

"In the future, Chaoyang district will continue to promote cultural tourism to fulfill people's needs and their yearning for a better life," Li added.

Meanwhile, China Media Group's first 5G new media platform Yangshipin, China's leading communications services group BlueFocus, Chinese podcast and audio book giant Ximalaya FM, blind box toy retailer Pop Mart and popular science social networking service provider Guokr are gathered at the district's pavilion. It is all part of CIFTIS's cultural services exhibition that is wowing onlookers with high-end products.

A total of 110 cultural industrial parks from 25 cities in China, as well as those from Germany, South Korea and the Netherlands, were invited by Chaoyang district to share their best practices of urban rejuvenation with viewers online.

"These exhibitors are only a microcosm of the rapid development of emerging industries in Chaoyang," said Feng Chunqiu, deputy director of the district's publicity department.

"In recent years, Chaoyang has paid close attention to the integration of culture and technology and the application of new technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence and VR," Feng said.

He added that Chaoyang is home to 68,000 registered cultural enterprises. Of them, 1,962 cultural enterprises are above designated size and have achieved a collective income of 91.9 billion yuan between January and June. They are the main driving force to accelerate the recovery of the city's cultural industry.