From the Readers

Expand cultural trade

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-01 07:48

It's important for China to expand its cultural trade. China's rich culture can easily captivate people in other countries, and its greatest cultural treasure are its world famous art works.

China can build a different type of museum - one that is mobile and moves from country to country. There's also a tremendous market for Chinese silk, ceramics, vases and antiques.

China's stunning natural beauty is another major resource for cultural trade. The travel industry in China is still in a nascent stage, and travel shows could attract more foreign tourists to China.

Traveling the Silk Road could be the theme of many a presentation highlighting the rich culture of northwestern China. So many synergies are possible to make and market cultural products that are inherently Chinese.

China could choose three or four of its most talented actresses and pop singers as brand ambassadors of this cultural trade. A range of projects for students could tap their imagination and enthusiasm for cultural trade, the best of which could be carried out. Many Chinese students who graduate from university nowadays are fluent in English. This makes it easier to expand cultural trade.

Chinese cuisine is already a favorite around the world, and Chinese restaurants could be asked to sell a line of cultural products, too, or show cultural trade-related programs from China on TV. Chinese restaurants are also a good place to send people to promote and carry out projects.

Chinese are consummate businesspeople. There is great potential in developing cultural trade not just for profit, but also for increasing exchanges and making the products and culture of other countries more readily available to the people of China.

Ariel Ky, via e-mail

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send your e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily 06/01/2010 page9)