Experts: Web has a key role in promoting Chinese culture

Experts called for the enhancing of the role of online platforms in spreading Chinese culture at an internet cultural forum held during the third World Internet Conference in Wuzhen on Thursday.

The third World Internet Conference Internet Culture Forum brought together 18 officials, entrepreneurs, scholars, researchers and writers for in-depth discussions on cultural development in the internet age.

Xiang Zhaolun, vice-minister of culture, addressed the opening ceremony and said the WIC has become a key annual event and the Internet Culture Forum, as an integral part of the WIC, aims to strengthen cyber cooperation and promote cultural exchanges.

"The Ministry of Culture has attached great importance to the forum by making elaborate preparations in advance. Also, we, together with other Chinese and foreign guests, are looking forward to building the forum into a qualified and high-level platform," Xiang said.

Promoting Chinese culture via online platforms is one of the key topics at the forum.

Barry Swersky, a researcher from the Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University in Israel, said: "Chinese culture and values are inherently attractive. The problem is articulating them well, conveying them in the right way, making sure they are well presented and delivered in an enticing manner. In other words the product exists. How to bring it to the attention of audiences abroad?"

Swersky said the internet was an excellent platform to draw attention to Chinese culture.

He suggested "setting up a small working group with the active participation of the Ministry of Culture to discuss, investigate and examine what is done internationally and what can and should be done regarding Chinese culture".

"As we move forward China can also consider creating a China Cultural Net or even an Asian Culture Net. The standard must be high. Marketing should be intelligent and sensitive," he said, referring to several websites that have been doing well in online cultural promotion.

Agreed by Victor Koo, chairman of AlibabaDigital Media & Entertainment Strategy and Investment Committee, who also said internet culture has "natural advantages" in international communication.

He further said there will be prosperity in the development of internet cultural and entertainment industry.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, the forum was organized by the China Daily website and China Arts and Entertainment Group. It included two panel discussions entitled "Enhancing People-to-People Exchanges, Promoting Mutual Learning Among Civilizations" and "Pushing for Better Cyberculture".