22nd China Int'l Cultural Industries Fair closes in Shenzhen

The 22nd China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair closed on Monday in the city of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province.

The five-day event, which highlights cultural industry development, drew together 310 overseas exhibitors from 65 countries and regions.

In total, eight exhibition halls were set up at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, including the one featuring cultural industry innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

During the event, 260 new product launch, debut, and premiere events were held in the main venue, showcasing the fusion of sci-tech and culture and injecting momentum into the high-quality development of the cultural industry.

This year's event, for the first time, set up a dedicated exhibition area for APEC economies, showcasing the Asia-Pacific region's achievements in cultural tourism. The region's specialty products, creative cultural products inspired by intangible cultural heritage, and regional delicacies were also on display.

Shenzhen is to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November this year.

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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is about to present China's Friendship Medal to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.

Friendship Medals, the highest state honor to foreigners, are presented to foreign friends who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.