Xi'an hosts forum on cultural and free trade development

The Belt and Road Cultural Industry and Free Trade Development Forum took place in Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone on Dec 17, with more than 300 government officials, experts, and scholars attending.

It aimed to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between Xi'an and the Belt and Road countries, as well as jointly explore a new development model for Xi'an's cultural industry and free trade.

As the only pilot free trade zone in Northwest China, the China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) focuses on areas like science and technology, education, culture, tourism, as well as health. It has also established the Belt and Road language and big data service platform, said Wang Gang, deputy director of the general office of the Shaanxi Pilot FTZ.

Li Qungang, deputy director of the Xi'an management committee of the Shaanxi Pilot FTZ, noted that the committee has been actively promoting the development of the cultural industry and has continued to accelerate the construction of the business environment of cultural trade enterprises, enhance trade facilitation level, as well as encourage and support financial innovation.

During the summit, a roundtable forum themed around "Silk Road Culture and Free Trade" was also held to discuss the responsibilities of all sectors of society in the development of the Belt and Road cultural trade.