Strengthening Cultural Exchanges Between China and the World to Support Cultural Enterprises in Going Global
In recent years, the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism has focused on promoting high-quality development in cultural and tourism trade while enhancing the global influence of Chinese civilization. Through multi-pronged measures, the department has leveraged the leading role of cultural enterprises in going global to drive the development of related industries such as cultural creativity, film and television production, animation, gaming, and entertainment.With sustained efforts in cultivating high-quality cultural trade enterprises, organizing cultural trade events, and developing cultural trade projects, Gansu has established a complete industrial chain. This has effectively facilitated the global expansion of local cultural enterprises, creating more employment opportunities and generating significant economic benefits.Recently, an official from the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism addressed media inquiries regarding the "going global" strategy of Gansu's cultural enterprises.
Q: What are the main vehicles for promoting the "going global" of Gansu's cultural products?
A: The primary vehicle for Gansu's cultural outreach is Dunhuang culture. Leveraging the province’s rich, diverse, and unique cultural resources, we facilitate multi-channel, diversified exports of representative cultural products.Dunhuang City has been guided to organize a series of cultural exchange activities under the "East Asian Cultural Capital" initiative. Through campaigns such as "Let the World See the Hexi Corridor," "Let the World Enter the Hexi Corridor – Diplomats’ Gansu Tour," and "Global Dunhuang Cultural Connections," we showcase Dunhuang’s cultural spirit, inclusiveness, and values to the world.The "Dunhuang No Longer Distant – Digital Dunhuang Exhibition in Singapore", co-hosted by the Dunhuang Academy and Bank of China and executed by Gansu Hengzhen Digital Culture Technology Co., Ltd., received enthusiastic feedback, generating nearly 1.5 million RMB in revenue. Additionally, the "Digital Library Cave" and "Exploring Dunhuang" touring exhibitions debuted in the U.S., while innovative interactive products like the "Digital Library Cave" and "Exploring Dunhuang"—jointly developed by the Dunhuang Academy and Tencent using gaming technology—have won widespread acclaim for their immersive cultural experiences.Cutting-edge technologies in earthen site conservation, mural restoration, and digital preservation have been applied to over 200 key cultural heritage projects domestically and internationally. The annual Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo has achieved remarkable success in preserving Dunhuang culture and strengthening global cultural exchanges.We have also successfully cultivated internationally recognized "cultural confidence" educational platforms such as "Mogao Academy" and "Dunhuang 1900", while the "Cloud Appreciation of Dunhuang" initiative has elevated the "Dunhuang Culture Week" as a flagship international promotion brand.
Q: While promoting cultural products to "go global", how to enhance their export competitiveness?
A: Our main approaches include guiding the application for customs protection recordation of intellectual property rights for four "Dunhuang Cultural and Creative" trademarks, as well as cultural and creative products such as "Lan Xiaowu" and Qingyang Sachets, which have been approved by the General Administration of Customs. This has strengthened the international influence of Gansu's brands and the role of intellectual property protection. For three consecutive years, we have participated in the Hong Kong International IP Licensing Expo. In particular, this year, facing 330 exhibitors and over 600 international brands at the expo, we centrally showcased the colorful charm of Gansu's cultural and creative IPs, as well as the creative and commercial value of Longyuan (Gansu) cultural and creative products, establishing a "high-speed channel" for Gansu's culture to reach the world. Meanwhile, the Gansu delegation actively engaged with over 200 domestic and foreign enterprises through three key dimensions: industrialized development of cultural resources, modern translation of traditional craftsmanship, and commercial exploration of IP licensing, achieving nearly 100 cooperation intentions. This marks the official entry of Gansu's cultural and creative industry into the international licensing economy system, effectively promoting the market-oriented development of Gansu's cultural industry and the internationalization process of Gansu's cultural and creative IPs.
Q: While actively promoting the "going global" of cultural products, what specific measures has our province taken to apply for national key projects?
A: In April this year, the Gansu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Commerce and other departments, submitted applications to the Ministry of Commerce for 10 provincial cultural export enterprises—including Gansu Performance Group and Gansu Hengzhen Digital Culture Technology Co., Ltd.—to compete for the 2025-2026 National Key Cultural Export Enterprises and Projects recognition.Additionally, we recommended:Four key overseas promotion projects, such as those by Gansu Jinweide Hand-Pulled Noodles Cultural Industry Group Co., Ltd. Three major events, including the 2025 Macao "Roots & Soul: Gansu Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition" organized by our department.These initiatives aim to qualify for the "Promoting the Global Reach of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture" funding program. By leveraging domestic and international exhibitions, we are expanding channels for Gansu’s cultural trade, boosting export growth, and empowering cultural enterprises to enhance national cultural influence, foster cross-cultural exchanges, and strengthen cultural soft power.
Editor:伏娅敏