21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair kicks off

The 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair opened in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen on Thursday, with a larger number of delegations and institutions in attendance.

A total of 6,280 government delegations, cultural institutions, and enterprises are participating either online or offline, an increase of 265 over the previous session. In all, 3,300 exhibitors will attend in person.

More than 120,000 cultural products are on display, and more than 4,000 investment and financing projects in the cultural industries are showcased and are in traded at the event.

A key highlight at the fair is the growing emphasis on sports consumption and the ice and snow economy.

This year, the fair has seen the adoption of 22 new measures to facilitate trade, including the establishment of the Departure Tax Refund Area where international consumers are able to experience refund upon purchase.

"Quite many foreign buyers and tourists visited the Departure Tax Refund Area to inquire about tax refund policies. After purchasing tax refundable goods, they can handle the refund procedures at our designated refund points and receive their cash refunds on site," said Liang Yiyan, officer of the Second Taxation Division of Shenzhen Tax Service.

As the fair virtually emerges as a major shopping mall, the organizing committee has launched a cultural fair shopping spree, rolling out a list of the most popular products from the fair for the first time.

Exhibits are showcased in display cabinets, while new products are being featured in live-streaming sessions.

"We can see a very large number of live-streaming rooms on site. The entire venue is filled with live-streaming poles, and many exhibition booths are being filmed. Our goal is to transform the fair into one with strong economic attributes and trading functions. We have expanded the entire trading environment, pre-arranged new product releases and industry promotion events. During the fair, exhibitors will engage in further discussions and reach deals, and the results are already very remarkable," said Fang Shiyu, general manager of Shenzhen International Cultural Industries Fair Co., Ltd.

The event has attracted record numbers of exhibitors and professional visitors from overseas. A total of 305 overseas exhibitors from 65 other countries and regions are participating in the event, online or offline, which is also expected to draw over 35,000 professional visitors from 110 other countries and regions.

Established in 2004, the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair has become a leading cultural event in China and an important platform to help Chinese culture go overseas.

21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair kicks off

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests