Periodic Report China

The Chinese government is fully conscious of the significance that cultural development, and promotion of the conditions for cultural diversity, have for the national realization of sustainable development in a globalized environment. With a view to implementing the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) at national and international levels, the Chinese government has taken a series of effective measures that have piloted various systemic innovations. These have resulted in considerable achievements and progress.

Over the past ten years and especially since 2007, China has further opened its cultural market through continued reform of the cultural system, made great efforts in developing the domestic cultural industry, and focused on enhancing sound and rapid development of cultural industry sectors through instruments of fiscal, financial and taxation policy. At the same time a public cultural service system has been established, correcting market failures, guaranteeing social justice and improving cultural livelihoods. The Chinese state has been taking numerous steps to protect traditional cultural resources and increase international cultural exchanges. As these measures are implemented, China’s domestic cultural cohesiveness and international influence are on a growth track, domestic cultural diversity is seeing sustainable improvement, and the national cultural industry continues to sharpen its market competitiveness.

China is aware that the world is in the midst of a period of profound development, reform and adjustment, one moving further towards a multipolar and economically globalized world, and seeing leaps and bounds in science and technology. International cultural exchanges are more frequent, and culture is more prominent in competitions of overall national strength.

Comparatively speaking, China’s domestic cultural development has not completely adapted to requirements of the times; its public cultural service system is incomplete; and its cultural industry is overall not large. However, China has both the determination and the capability to meet these challenges!

In accordance with Article 9 of the Convention and its Operational Guidelines, this report gives a full overview of the various measures and policies taken at national and international levels to protect and promote the diversity of cultural expressions since China’s ratification of the Convention. As the Convention also applies to the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions of China, periodic reports written by the governments of Hong Kong and Macau SARs will also be submitted as part of the Chinese government’s report.