The 14th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) was held in Shenzhen from May 10 to May 14 and was jointly hosted by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Commerce, State Administration of Radio and Television, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Guangdong Provincial People’s Government and Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government. The fair was held at a time when China is implementing the guiding principles of the 19th CPC National Congress and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the nation’s reform and opening-up. Under the theme of “Develop Culture with Trade,” the fair was held in the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, with 67 venues spread across an exhibition area of 105,000 square meters.

　　   To promote Shenzhen’s business environment and learn about investment and cooperation in the cultural and creative industry, Invest Shenzhen, along with all districts (new districts) and key industrial parks, promoted investment through the “Shenzhen method” which combines “culture and technology,” “culture and creativity” and “culture and tourism” at the fair. Many great results were achieved including the following: first was the establishment of an investment promotion booth in the center’s No.1 pavilion to meet with companies and experts from China and overseas, promote Shenzhen’s business environment and development of the cultural and creative industry, explore and learn about key projects as well as the latest hot topics and directions for industrial development, and improve the level of professionalism. Projects that were unearthed during the fair included the Beijing Zaowuzhe Game, UK-based 422 Design, Xiamen Anne, and a Chinese furniture research and development base; second was the joint hosting of a forum for the copyright industry at an industrial park in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area together with the intellectual property office of Shenzhen, the government of Luohu District, Invest Luohu, and Shenzhen copyright service center. During the forum Invest Shenzhen’s investment promotion specialists spoke about policies and gave a briefing of developments and investment opportunities in Shenzhen’s cultural and creative industry. The forum included keynote speeches and round table discussions, which were attended by over 100 copyright-related companies and institutions from China and overseas; thirdly, Invest Shenzhen visited Guan Lan redwood cluster, also an ICIF venue, in Longhua District and attended a forum on redwood culture during which Invest Shenzhen offered its assistance. Some projects were signed and launched at the event, including a Chinese furniture research and development base, a redwood culture and tourism sourcing festival in Shenzhen, the second Redwood Furniture Design Competition, and a redwood craftsman training program. Invest Shenzhen sent staff to attend the event and communicate with investors in cultural projects; fourth was the signing of an agreement at China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings’s cultural projects cluster, also an ICIF venue, to set up Nestle’s research and development center in Shenzhen in Net Valley, Shekou. Invest Shenzhen explored, followed up and recommended the project to Net Valley. Nestle’s research and development center will develop and test new coffee makers.