Embodied artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the biggest attractions of the ongoing 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair, which kicked off on Thursday in the metropolis of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province.
The five-day event, which highlights cultural industry development, has attracted 6,312 exhibitors both online and offline, with over 120,000 cultural products on display.
This year's event has, for the first time, set up dedicated exhibition areas for APEC economies, AI, and others.
Newly upgraded AI assistants, humanoid robots, immersive digital entertainment, and other new technologies and scenarios have made their collective debut, comprehensively enhancing the intelligent service level and visitors' experience at the fair.
"This year, we have further enhanced the integration of culture with trade as well as culture with technology, and will go all out to secure orders, seek business opportunities, and find new prospects, and restructure our cultural industries through empowerment of AI," said Liu Jie, head of the News Center of the 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair.
A total of 397 leading and brand enterprises have participated in the exhibition. On-site special areas for cultural finance, new product releases, and trade negotiations have been set up, and 22 measures have also been introduced to facilitate transactions.
It is expected to attract 130,000 professional buyers to participate in the event, and will precisely promote the business matchmaking, implementation and transformation of cultural projects.
Meanwhile, the event prominently features intangible cultural heritages, China-Chic and innovative cultural products, and breakthrough products. Through an innovative expression that blends tradition with modernity, it showcases the creative vitality of Chinese culture.
Established in 2004, the fair has become a leading cultural event in China and an important platform to assist the Chinese culture in going global.
Embodied AI steals spotlight at Shenzhen cultural fair
China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.
In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.
"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.
This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.
By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.
China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.
The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.
"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.
China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting
