Phoenix TV:

What has been done by the MCT to implement the GCI and introduce Chinese culture abroad? What are the following considerations? Thank you.

Gao Zheng:

Thank you for your questions. The GCI, proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, has received positive responses from many countries. The work on cultural and tourism exchanges is a crucial part of practicing the GCI. The MCT mainly carried out work in three aspects.

First, we have promoted dialogue on civilizations and built international consensus. We held art performances at the China-Central Asia Summit and the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. We hosted the "Silk Road: Artists Rendezvous - Joint Exhibition by Renowned Arab and Chinese Artists" and the Sino-Arab Artists Salon in Egypt. In Spain, we held the opening ceremony of the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism, an exhibition of the legacy of the Qin and Han dynasties, and an exhibition of paintings from the Song Dynasty as part of the Great Collection of Chinese Paintings project, which have been very well received locally. We hosted the first Liangzhu Forum, organized lectures on China's stories at the China Cultural Center in over 40 countries, and invited scholars from over 40 countries to China to participate in the youth sinologists program. In addition, we signed the Joint Statement between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the PRC and the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States on Implementing the Global Civilization Initiative.

Second, we have employed cultural symbols to demonstrate the charm of civilization. In 2023, about 500 "Happy Chinese New Year" activities have been held in over 100 countries and regions globally, covering nearly 20 million people, with programs on the internet and TV reaching more than 5 billion people. The mascot "Lucky Bunny," introduced for the first time, has proven very popular. To celebrate the International Tea Day, we organized the "Tea for Harmony" Yaji Cultural Salon in 47 countries around the world, telling stories about the culture, science and technology, and industries behind Chinese tea. We organized a "Finest Cultural Gifts from China" cultural and tourism trade promotion activity, propelling products and services, including porcelain, musical instruments, and art performances, into international markets.

Third, we have deepened cooperation on art to foster closer bonds between peoples. At the beginning of this year, we hosted two concerts in the US themed "Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems." Fifteen youth singers from 10 countries performed together with the Philadelphia Orchestra and sang songs composed based on well-known poems in Chinese from the Tang Dynasty, achieving the perfect integration of Chinese elements with international expression. In November, the Philadelphia Orchestra came to China at our invitation to hold a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of its first visit to China and performed with artists from many countries to interpret classic poems from the Tang Dynasty. We also held a tour of chamber concerts themed "Melody of the Orient" at the China Cultural Center in Brussels, Paris, and other overseas cities, and artists from European countries such as Belgium praised the Chinese spirit in the new era with music. Cooperating with the Egyptian tourism department, we held a China-Egypt music concert at the historical site of Giza Pyramids in Cairo, promoting closer ties between the peoples by singing. 

Next, we will continue to make every effort to implement the GCI, strengthen cooperation with UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization, and provide more and better public good to the international community. We will continue to implement the "Cultural Silk Road" program, and carry out training, seminars, joint creations, and other projects. We will promote cooperation on tourism with other countries, improve the facilitation of inbound tourism, and carry out the "Nihao China" national tourism image promotion campaign, attracting more foreigners to come to China to experience the charm of Chinese culture and cementing popular support for the implementation of the GCI. Thank you!