Sino-Arab animation forum draws inspiration from cultural heritage
2023-09-09
Government entities, higher education institutions and companies from China and countries of the League of Arab States are to collaborate in boosting the development of the animation industry.
The Sino-Arab animation industry forum was hosted in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, from Aug 30 to Sept 1, cohosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Jiangsu provincial government, and the Secretariat General of the League of Arab States.
Representatives from nine countries and regions, including Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Tunisia, along with Chinese guests, attended the forum.
With meetings and forum discussions, the event aimed to boost collaboration in the animation industry between China and the Arab League, including coproduction, talent cultivation and technology development.
At the opening ceremony, multiple organizations from China and the Arab League jointly signed a proposal to establish an animation industry alliance, with agreements on coproduction of animated TV series and films, cooperation in film digitalization, and technical services.
"China and Arab countries are both at crucial stages of economic and social development, and share common goals in the field of cultural industries, with promising prospects for cooperation," said Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Lu Yingchuan in his keynote speech.
Lu also said that China is willing to work together with Arab countries to jointly implement the Global Civilization Initiative, enhance cultural exchanges, promote high-quality cooperation in the cultural industry sector and create new highlights in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Eight higher education institutions from China and Arab countries signed paired collaborative agreements, such as Suzhou University of Science and Technology and the University of Petra in Jordan, aimed at collectively advancing the training of talent in the fields of animation and the arts.
Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, assistant secretary-general of the League of Arab States, said in her video speech that culture plays an important role in promoting mutual understanding among people and forming cultural identity.
As Arab countries and China have a rich cultural heritage, the Arab League values the development of friendly relations with China in various fields, culture included.
She also called upon relevant organizations to provide necessary support for the animation industry, so as to bolster the art form, which has been gaining increasing popularity among both young and adult audiences.
During the course of three days, an investment promotion conference on the urban digital culture industry, as well as three forums themed, respectively, on business, higher education institutions and young professionals, were held to facilitate extensive and profound China-Arab animation collaboration.