Belt and Road fascination grows at China culture fair

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The annual China International Cultural Industries Fair was launched Thursday, with more than 2,300 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions participating in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province.

The fair, now in its 14th edition, is viewed as an important indicator for the trends and interests in cultural products in China. It is devoting a whole pavilion for Belt and Road countries. The showroom space of 75,000 square meters has an array of products that Chinese people have come to adore.

Danish Faroog of Asiya International from Turkey has been dealing hand-crafted Persian carpets for a few years now. He said that he has found that Chinese people love things with a history.

A craftsman working at the fair. /Photo by CICIF

"They love handmade crafts. I find them appreciating old crafts that have a story behind them," said Faroog.

Rana Sheeaz, of a family stone craft business from Pakistan, said things have been steadily improving since the Belt and Road Initiative was launched. He said that while Chinese people have long been interested in Pakistan, "the latest with the Gwadar Port and other Belt and Road Initiative projects have weaved us closer. We're definitely benefiting from closer ties in this case."

Huang Yi, a local visitor, said she's come to the pavilion for a better and real feel of Belt and Road countries.

"It's great to have countries from the Belt and Road route presented here, when I don't get to visit them personally. Their artifacts and even their everyday items show what they're really like and how they see their culture. This is what I've come to see," Huang said.

The fair also hosts special sections for interactive media, intangible heritage items and other cultural products. The fair, which will last until Monday, is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors.

The fair is held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province‍. /Photo by CICIF