'China Gathering' at SXSW attracts world attention

HOUSTON - The 10-day South by Southwest (SXSW) wrapped up on Sunday in Austin, the capital city of US state of Texas. 2018 is the second year for "China Gathering" to be featured at SXSW, more than 60 Chinese companies attended the event and attracted great attention of the world.

Around the year 2000, SXSW, which celebrates the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries, started to focus more on emerging technologies and has earned the reputation as a breeding ground for new ideas and creative technologies. Some of the biggest names in technology have become breakout companies through the stages of SXSW.

As China's economy is transforming itself from "Made in China" to "Made by China," it's still rare for Chinese tech companies to appear on world stages.

"China Gathering," a platform to gather the Chinese companies and a bridge to connect them and the world market, was officially introduced in 2017 at SXSW. It aimed to guide and assist innovative companies from China, as well as present them and share their voices and industry views.

As China encourages their innovative companies to go global, "China Gathering" is a steppingstone for companies in China to seamless integrate themselves into this global digital economy.

If last year's "China Gathering" was aimed at exploring opportunities, this year's event can be considered integration in all aspects.

Interviewed by Xinhua, SXSW Chief Program Officer Hugh Forrest said there is much stronger participation of Chinese companied in SXSW this year.

"This makes complete sense with SXSW given there is so much innovation, creativities, startup activity coming out of China and there is so much we celebrate at SXSW. So we want to see this partnership, this bridge from Austin and China to continue growing and strengthening in the future," he said.

2018 "China Gathering" at SXSW also received strong support from the Chinese Consulate General in Houston.

Delivering a speech at the opening gala of "China Gathering," Chinese Consul General Li Qiangmin said China is fostering a culture of innovation while strengthening the creation, protection, and application of intellectual property.

"Especially after the launching of the Belt and Road Initiative, China and relevant countries have established more than 130 national level joint research centers," Li said.

"For the innovators of Austin and beyond, China is a big opportunity that cannot be missed," he added.

Li believed the platform of SXSW is a perfect match for the emerging Chinese innovative companies. "We will do our best to introduce this platform to the Chinese innovative companies who are ready to enter the world stage."

The SXSW, founded in 1987 in Austin, is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of interactive, film and music industries.