“Why is the name of the Yangtze River translated in this way instead of ‘Changjiang River’?”

“How many provinces does the Yangtze River flow past?”

Famous scholar Qian Wenzhong asked the audience several questions about the Yangtze River at a summit forum searching for 10 cultural symbols of Yangtze River culture in Zhangjiagang of Jiangsu province on July 24.

At the forum, famous director Li Shaohong; Zhang Jianya, vice-president of the China Film Directors Guild; scholar Qian Wenzhong; and Zhangjiagang officials shared symbols that they chose to reflect Yangtze River culture. They also discussed the protection and inheritance of culture. Qian Wenzhong said people have neglected Yangtze River culture for a long period, and it’s time to pick it up.

Zhangjiagang is located on the southern banks of the lower Yangtze River. It ranks high on China’s top 100 counties list. The city has hosted the China (Zhangjiagang) Yangtze Culture & Art Festival for nine years, welcoming more than 600,000 participants. The festival aims to integrate cultural resources, build up a communication platform for cities along the river, and promote economic and cultural growth in the Yangtze River valley.

Yangtze River culture is deeply rooted in Zhangjiagang culture, said Yao Linrong, the city’s mayor.

The first micro-film contest on finding the 10 symbols for Yangtze River culture began on the same day. Anyone can send a film to the organizing committee before mid-September. After the preliminary selection, the micro-films will be put on a website for people to vote for their favorites. The results come out in November and the prize is 500,000 yuan ($81,496).