Economy

China vows to boost exports of cultural products

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-29 11:12

BEIJING: China's Minister of Culture Cai Wu has vowed to boost the nation's exports of cultural products to address the nation's deficit in cultural products trade.

Figures from the ministry show average revenue from one foreign performance in China is ten times that of a Chinese performance aboard.

"In recent years, our country's export of cultural products has increased. However, the trade deficit in cultural products remains unchanged," Cai said in a report submitted to the 14th session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Cai said the channels for exporting the nation's cultural products and services are still narrow while the competitiveness of Chinese cultural products in the global market is lacking.

The average annual earnings of Chinese cultural products and services is only 100 million U.S. dollars -- which is "even less than the annual turnover of a single famous overseas circus," Cai said.

Cai said the nation lacks works of profound ideas, unique styles and advanced technologies, citing industrial problems such as a lack of original ideas and inadequacy in research and production.

Cai urged related departments to expand the market for the nation's cultural products and to boost technological innovation and the attractiveness of cultural exports.

He also called for "great efforts" to support music, dance, acrobatics, film, animation and other cultural products, especially those with ethnic and traditional characteristics, to build internationally acclaimed brands.