Nation boosts soft power

China has achieved greater soft power by developing its cultural industries and promoting international cooperation, while the country has signed more than 300 agreements with nations participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, high-ranking officials said on Friday.

Sun Zhijun, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, was one of four officials who spoke at a news conference at the 19th National Congress of the CPC on Friday. He said the country's cultural soft power has substantially increased since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, making vital contributions to the promotion of the causes of the Party and the nation.

China ranks first in publications, production and broadcasting of television dramas, and movie screens, Sun said.