Economy animated by arts
"Qingdao's culture industry has become a new engine driving the city's economic development," Jiang Zhengxuan, director general of Qingdao Municipal Cultural Bureau, said.
By the end of 2007, Qingdao had more than 200,000 people working in the culture industry, which was valued at 18.76 billion yuan, accounting for 4.9 percent of Qingdao's GDP.
Wang Wei, head of Qingdao Municipal Information Office, predicted that Qingdao's culture industry is expected to increase in value by 20 billion yuan this year.
Six culture industry clusters are to be built, including a culture creation park, the culture-featured street, a Laoshan Mountain culture tourism area, a musical instruments and art crafts export area in Chengyang district and an artwork production and export base in Jiaonan, a satellite city of Qingdao.
A software industry center, a digital animation industry base and a national animation and internet games industry base have contributed to development of the city's animation industry.
The city is expected to have at least 50 animation companies by 2010, which are projected to yield a production value of 1 billion yuan a year.
The development of digital animation in Qingdao has attracted a number of companies. At present, more than 30 companies have settled in the city to make games, video cartoons and multimedia designs.
Another 10 companies specialized in game development have also settled in Qingdao. With thousands of people working in animation, an industrial chain has evolved that includes production, research and operation of animated products.
Universities such as the Beijing Film Academy and Qingdao University of Technology and Science train animation professionals in Qingdao.
Another highlight of the city's culture industry is the "Creative 100" park home to more than 50 creative enterprises.
"Qingdao aims to develop the Creative 100 into a nationwide famous park in three years and worldwide in five years by introducing fashion design enterprises from South Korea, Japan and Europe," Jiang said.
The 275-meter long culture street features tourism, fashion, arts and other cultural trade.
"In the year of 2008, Qingdao will give more support to the culture industry and enhance culture exchanges between China and international counterparts," Jiang added.
(China Daily 06/06/2008 page24)
