The China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) took place in Shenzhen during May of each year. The Fair covers nearly 100,000 square metres in space and is China’s only National, internationalized and comprehensive cultural fair, as well as the most resourceful, with the most complete varieties and largest trading platform for Chinese cultural products and service exports.
MCC, as an international communication organization of metropolitan cultures, has been closely following and participating in Shenzhen’s culture-related developments.
From September 2005 to May 2006, IMCC, for the first time, collaborated with the Organization Committee of China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair and Shenzhen International Cultural Industry Expo Ltd, co-organized the promotions and applications for the exhibition booths for the ICIF in the Provinces in China and regions abroad.
IMCC made use of all channels in sending out invitations to related parties in China and abroad. Amongst those invited, the Department of Culture of Yunnan Province, the Department of Culture of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, World Trade Center Tacoma of the United States, the Government of Alberta, Canada, the Turkish embassy to China, the Department of Culture and Arts of Cambodia, and the Cambodian Prince were pleased to accept our invitation.
Due to the complex procedures such as visa applications, goods custom clearance and guest reception, are involved when foreign exhibitors participate in the fair, IMCC set up specialized personnel for comprehensive research into the Fair exhibitor guidelines as well as the countries related regulations in foreign affairs, so that instant information and policy enquiries may be provided to exhibitors and foreign guests. IMCC also worked closely with the Organization Committee of the ICIF, Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office, Chinese Embassies and Consulates in other countries, in order to ensure foreign organizations and guests may attend the fair in time and are satisfied.
In serving the Turkish Embassy, IMCC understands the Embassy has a busier workload in the months of March – May and took the initiative to assist the department of cultural delegate in liaising with Exhibition decorators, submission of related documents. IMCC also found a volunteer, a student in the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the Shenzhen University, to assist the Embassy during the ICIF.
Cambodian Prince Norodom Sirivudh had had difficulties in his visa application. The Prince’s assistant called IMCC and informed IMCC that the Chinese Embassy had refused to grant a visa to the Prince. The assistant sounded puzzled, for the Cambodia and Royal members of Cambodia have maintained a good relationship with China, and the Prince was only visiting China to attend the ICIF, how can the visa be possibly rejected The Manager of the department of Foreign and International Affairs immediately called the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia to inquire, and found out in accordance with the country’s regulations on visiting guests concerning foreign affairs; Prince Sirivudh’s visa application should have been accompanied with an invitation from the Ministry of Culture. IMCC managed to inform the Organization Committee of ICIF and the Ministry of Culture in time, and the matter was immediately resolved after negotiations.
The China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair was held in Shenzhen International Conventions & Exhibition Center between 18 – 21 May. 1,900 honoured guests, invited by IMCC and from China or abroad, attended this cultural gathering.
During the 4-days Fair, Members of the IMCC Board of Directors, Department of Public Relations and Department on Foreign and International Affairs visited all the invited exhibitors and guests, and shared the magnificent gatherings of each exhibitor, as well as exchanging opinions regarding the development of the cultural industry and issues on intensive cooperation. The friendship with the related parties was consolidated and all in all, this has been a fruitful success.
Delegate Mr Mehmet Olcel, representative of the Department of News and Culture in the Turkish Embassy attended the fair to promote tourism, felt the mature international trading and economic technological industries in Shenzhen has attracted many foreigners, and is the biggest advantage in assisting Shenzhen to become an icon in international exhibitions, as well as forming a sound basis for the internationalization of the ICIF.
Prince of Cambodia, Head of the Department of Culture and Arts Prince Sirivudh said, “This ICIF allows me to see once again how culture promotes the development of economy. Through cultures, we can express a country’s spirit and establish a vision; cultures often exceed country boundaries, breakdown the language barriers and becoming the core of communication philosophies of people around the world. I am very pleased with ICIF in displaying such advance concepts.”
As for our domestic exhibitors, the Guangxi and Yunnan booths were filled with colours and glittering lights, songs and dances. The home to folksongs (Guangxi) and at the south of colourful clouds (Yunnan) presented heart-stopping performance allowing the visitors to linger as they pass by.
Jointly Sponsored by
Ministry of Culture of the PRC
State Administration of Radio Film and Television
General Administration of Press and Publication of the PRC
People’s Government of Guangdong Province
Shenzhen Municipal Government
Co-organized by
Shenzhen Press Group
Shenzhen Publication & Distribution Group
Shenzhen Media Group
Shenzhen International Cultural Industry Fair Co., Ltd
Ms Jin Lan and Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng at the ICIF Press Conference
The Second China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair Certificate of Authorization
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