Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit stresses shared heritage, cultural confidence

The second Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit opened in Beijing on Wednesday, highlighting the deep cultural bonds between compatriots across the Taiwan Strait and championing cultural confidence.

Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, presided over the opening ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Song urged cultural figures from Taiwan to work together in guiding compatriots in Taiwan to safeguard the greater good of the Chinese nation, enhance cultural confidence, resolutely oppose separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan secession" and external interference, and jointly advance the cause of national reunification.

Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party and chair of the Taiwan-based Chinese Cyan Geese Peace Education Foundation, delivered a speech emphasizing the shared cultural legacy across the Taiwan Strait.

She proposed collaborative initiatives to preserve Chinese classics, promote traditional culture, and develop cultural industries. By leveraging their rich cultural heritage and modern creativity, she said, both sides can elevate Chinese culture's global presence and deepen its international influence.

The summit also featured a main forum, where cultural and academic representatives delivered keynote speeches on fostering Chinese cultural development.

Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit stresses shared heritage, cultural confidence

China's movie industry is increasingly deriving its earnings from broader consumer economy.

Released during the 2025 summer season, the film "Nobody" became China's highest-grossing two-dimensional animated film -- and its success went beyond theaters.

Through licensing and brand partnerships, the movie has generated 2.5 billion yuan (about 358.3 million U.S. dollars) in retail sales to consumers, with more than 800 licensed products on the market.

Ranging from plush toys to food and home goods, the movie-related merchandise can be purchased from over 3,000 online and offline outlets.

Meanwhile, souvenir stores are crowded at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia themed land, with hats, plush toys, and collectibles seeing steady demand from visitors.

"China's film industry is no longer defined by box office revenue alone. It has become a new growth engine that links and energizes multiple cultural sectors. At the heart of every successful film is strong storytelling. High-quality productions create cultural value, which in turn enhances the commercial value of intellectual property and opens up new consumption opportunities. I believe China's film industry delivered an outstanding performance in the past year," said Chen Xiaoda, vice dean of Shanghai Vancouver Film School.

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