Culture growing into strong pillar of China's economy

An art buyer from outside China takes photos of lifelike imitation of fruits and vegetables with his mobile phone at a recent trade fair in Dongguan, Guangdong province. XU JIANMEI / FOR CHINA DAILY

Despite the global economic downturn and the advent of online consumption, global trade in cultural goods has doubled from 2004 to 2013, showing the strong resilience of cultural industries.

Gold jewelry, art and crafts, statues and paintings have been the most traded cultural goods globally. In 2013, they accounted for 71 percent of cultural exports, growing from 50 percent in 2004. Trade in recorded music products and cinematographic products has declined.

"(Global) trade in cultural goods totaled $212.8 billion in 2013, nearly double the amount in 2004. This is further evidence of the critical role culture industries play in today's global economy," said Silvia Montoya, director of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

In 2014, value-added cultural industries accounted for less than 4 percent of China's GDP, compared with 25 percent in the US, where a stable base facilitates mature growth, unlike in China where the development of cultural industries is marked by many untapped resources.

Nevertheless, some of the well-regarded cultural enterprises in China have achieved significant revenue growth, burnishing their reputation. They have expanded overseas, contributed to worthy causes and fostered innovation.

Huayi Brothers Media Corp, China's largest private film company, says it will expand its international reach, especially in the US.