The Growing Cultural Industry of Shenzhen | The definitive guide to Shenzhen, Shekou, Guangdong, China

Submitted by Harry Fozzard on April 11, 2011 - 16:36

Every year, the added value of the successes of the industries of Shenzhen with regards to cultural and creative works has increased up to 20 percent every year. Because of this, the companies and firms involved in the cultural industry, whether local or international, agree that there is a high potential for Shenzhen to progress. In fact, this is one of the four pillars industries of Shenzhen, China.

In 2008, Shenzhen was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a certified member of the Creative Cities Network. Shenzhen is the first ever city from China that has been recognized. The creative Cities Network aims to promote the development of cities when it comes to the social, economic, as well as the cultural factors that they possess. Shenzhen applied to the network with the goal of promoting the city’s creative scene towards global diversity. This is such an amazing achievement because this was their ticket to be able to share their creative platforms to the world.

The city if Shenzhen also holds their annual cultural fair to promote product trading not only within China but with the rest of the world who are interested in sharing their products with the Chinese people. The main hosts for the Cultural Fair of 2011 are the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, the General Administration of Press and Publication, the Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and more. On the other hand, the main sponsors of this annual cultural fair are the Shenzhen Press Group, Shenzhen Media Group, Shenzhen Publication and Distribution group Company, and the Shenzhen International Cultural Industry Fair Co., Ltd.

The Dafen Oil Painting Village is one of the greatest attractions in Shenzhen that truly exudes the cultural potential of this city in China. It is located in a 4 square kilometer village in the Buji Sub district. It is considered to have the most oil paintings produced in the world. This was originally established by a Hong Kong businessman but has remained to be Shenzhen property especially because most of its 15,000 artists are locals of Shenzhen.

Shenzhen is also the first city to produce massive numbers of cartoons for foreign animation and film companies. Because of this, they have become known as the base of cartoon and animations. The Shenzhen National Cartoon and Animation Industry Base or SZCAB is a company that focuses in the development and production of cartoons and online games as well. It aims to produce quality animated films and games capable of competing globally.

For further reading:

On the Other Side of the Fence: Industries in Shenzhen

Industries in Shenzhen: Pioneer of Modern Logistics towards Progress

A Deep Dive into the Financial Industry of Shenzhen

Shenzhen Banking – Defying Domestic and International Standards