Forum points way for city to become cultural hub

Profit for the city's cultural industry reached 142 billion yuan in 2021, up 47.5 percent year-on-year.

Beijing's per capita cultural and entertainment spending was 1,367 yuan, registering an annual increase of 12.2 percent, according to statistics.

The white paper also manifests the large strides made by Beijing in the digitalization of its cultural industry. The city is home to more than 1,700 digital culture enterprises, generating a total revenue of around 1.14 trillion yuan last year, up 23.5 percent year-on-year.

In recent years, digital technologies have been playing an increasingly important role in diversifying people's experience when they are exploring diverse cultures.

For instance, cultural institutes such as the National Center for Performing Arts and Beijing People's Art Theatre broadcast their shows online in 8K quality to a wider audience.

Chen Yanshun, chairman of BOE Technology Group, said that digital technologies have helped to upgrade and transform traditional cultural sectors to boost their income. And new cultural businesses such as online literature, mobile games and short videos are flourishing in the market.

On Monday night, the forum participants were invited to watch a variety show that included a symphony, stage play and singing which expressed the capital's evolution throughout history, and promoted revolutionary culture as well as the stellar achievements in Beijing's cultural construction.

The show also announced the Cultural Festival of Western Hills and Yongding River of Beijing, which will run through September. It is to include various cultural activities such as a photography competition, exhibitions and hiking tours along Beijing's ancient paths, with the aim to promote culture and tourism integration.