The "Connecting the World, Perceiving Beijing" Beijing-Tokyo Cultural Industry Exchange and Connection event was held in Beijing on Nov 9. It was co-sponsored by the State-owned Cultural Assets Administration Center (SOCAAC) of Beijing Municipality and the China Foreign Languages Bureau Asia-Pacific Communication Center.

Lu Kejian, former director of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Commerce and former Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, delivered a video speech. Chen Wenge, director of the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Languages Bureau; Matsumiya Takayuki, former chairman of the Japan Animation Association and chairman of Tezuka Productions; and Dong Dianyi, deputy director of the Beijing State-owned Cultural Assets Management Center, attended the event. About 200 participants, including heads of departments and institutions in China and Japan, representatives of Sino-Japanese business associations, representatives from cultural industry parks, incubators, investment and financing institutions, as well as Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs and media representatives, participated in the event online and offline.

Beijing Venue

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the conclusion of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The "Connecting the World, Perceiving Beijing" Beijing-Tokyo Cultural Industry Exchange and Connection event will establish a platform for exchange and connection between cultural industries and enterprises, further deepening the industrial exchange and enterprise cooperation between Beijing and Tokyo. It will provide convenience for Beijing's cultural enterprises to expand overseas markets. It also aims to attract Japanese companies to invest in Beijing and promote practical cooperation between Chinese and Japanese companies.

Chen Wenge, director of the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Languages Bureau

In his speech, Chen Wenge, director of the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Languages Bureau, mentioned that not long ago, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide exchanged congratulatory messages, emphasizing the need for both sides to review the spirit of the treaty and firmly grasp the correct direction of the development of bilateral relations. There was also the need to build a Chinese-Japanese relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. Chen pointed out that animation, as an important carrier of cultural exchange, has always been loved by the people of both countries, especially young people. This event, focusing on Beijing and Tokyo, invites guests engaged in the cultural industry, especially the animation industry, to discuss development and seek cooperation, which is of great significance for enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the people of the two countries.

Lu Kejian, former director of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Commerce and former Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, delivers a video speech

In his video speech, Lu Kejian, former director of the Asian Department of the Ministry of Commerce and former Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Japan, pointed out that the Chinese animation market has a huge audience and emerging creative forces, while Japan, as a world animation power, has strong capabilities in animation production, technology, and brand operation. The advantages of China and Japan in the animation industry are complementary, providing a broad space for cooperation for animation companies in both countries. He called for both sides to adapt to the trend, focus on the post-pandemic era, consolidate the existing cooperation achievements, continue to promote and deepen comprehensive and extensive mutually beneficial cooperation and exchanges in the field of animation between the two countries.

Inoue Masakazu, vice director of the Tokyo-China Friendship Association and the Japan-China Youth Ambassador, delivers a video speech

Inoue Masakazu, vice director of the Tokyo-China Friendship Association and the Japan-China Youth Ambassador, introduced the long-term cooperation between the Tokyo-China Friendship Association and the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in promoting friendly exchanges and visits between the two countries, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, especially young people. He expressed his hope that next year, which coincides with the 45th anniversary of the establishment of friendly city relations between Beijing and Tokyo, more exchanges and visits will happen between the two countries.

Speech by Wang Zhong, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and special advisor to the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Language Bureau. In his keynote speech titled "Chinese Animation and Japan," Wang Zhong used the well-known animation works in China and Japan, such as "Havoc in Heaven," "Lotus Lantern," and "The Legend of Luo Xiaohei," to explain the "evolution" of Chinese animation style, the "mutual influence and mutual learning" of Chinese and Japanese animation, and the "touching" and "healing" effects of Chinese and Japanese animation on their viewers. He called for greater efforts to promote high-quality cooperation in animation films, and to encourage Chinese and Japanese creators to collaborate in creating products with Eastern cultural themes and aesthetic styles to compete in the global market.

Speech by Takayuki Matsutani, former chairman of the Japan Animation Association and chairman of Tezuka Productions. In his keynote speech, Matsutani reviewed the connection between Tezuka Osamu, the founder of Tezuka Productions and the creator of "Astro Boy," and China. He mentioned that Tezuka had always valued the Sino-Japanese relationship and had been committed to promoting exchanges between the two countries until his passing. Tezuka Productions established Writelove Art Works Co., Ltd. in Beijing, hoping to inherit Tezuka's legacy and promote friendly exchanges between the two countries through animation and other forms of media. Matsutani also looked forward to future collaborations with Chinese companies to create more excellent animation works.

Introduction by Zhang Chi, deputy general manager of the Beijing China-Japan Innovation Cooperation Demonstration Zone. Zhang Chi introduced the historical development, geographical advantages, industrial positioning, resident companies, and international cooperation conducted in the China-Japan Innovation Cooperation Demonstration Zone. He invited Chinese and Japanese animation cultural enterprises, as well as global high-quality enterprises, to settle in the demonstration zone for mutual development and sharing of achievements.

Moderated by Yu Wen, deputy director of the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Language Bureau. During the subsequent exchange seminar, representatives including Professor Sun Shiqian from the Central Academy of Fine Arts; Yang Huining, head of the Business Division of TEAMJOY Co., Ltd.; Wang Xiaowen, chairman of Xiaowen Live Streaming Room; Sun Xiulian, editor-in-chief of "Hehua" Magazine; Li Dan, general manager of Beijing Hiken Piya International Cultural Development Co., Ltd.; and Japanese expert from the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Language Bureau, Kanako Kago, discussed cultural and industrial exchanges and cooperation between China and Japan.

Speech by Professor Sun Shiqian from the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

Speech by Yang Huining, head of the Business Division of TEAMJOY Co., Ltd.

Speech by Wang Xiaowen, chairman of Xiaowen Live Streaming Room.

Speech by Sun Xiulian, editor-in-chief of "Hehua" Magazine.

Speech by Li Dan, general manager of Beijing Hiken Piya International Cultural Development Co., Ltd.

Speech by Kanako Kago, Japanese expert from the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Language Bureau.

As a preliminary result of this event, Guochuan Shouzheng (Beijing) Media Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Language Bureau, signed a cooperation agreement with Renmin Tianzhou (Beijing) Publishing Co., Ltd., a joint-stock enterprise of the People's Publishing House. Beijing WenTou International Holdings Co., Ltd. also signed a business cooperation agreement with Xiaowen Live Streaming Room. The unveiling ceremony of the "China-Japan Animation Industry Cooperation and Exchange Platform" of the China Animation Science and Technology Industrial Park was also held.

Zhao Quanyong, general manager of Guochuan Shouzheng (Beijing) Media Technology Co., Ltd. (front right) and Gong Xun, general manager of Renmin Tianzhou (Beijing) Publishing Co., Ltd. (front left) signed the contract.

Chen Gang, deputy general manager of Beijing WenTou International Holdings Co., Ltd. (front right) and Wang Xiaowen, chairman of Beijing Deyi Consulting Co., Ltd. (front left) signed the contract.

The unveiling ceremony of the "China-Japan Animation Industry Cooperation and Exchange Platform" of the China Animation Science and Technology Industrial Park was attended by Chen Wenge, director of the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Language Bureau; Dong Tianyi, deputy director of the Beijing State-owned Cultural Assets Management Center; Wang Zhongyi, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and special advisor to the Asia-Pacific Communication Center of the China Foreign Language Bureau; Ye Chonghui, director of the China Animation Science and Technology Industrial Park Management Committee and former chief inspector of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Liu Xiangning, deputy chairman of the Beijing Trade in Services Association; Wang Donghong, deputy chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Beijing; Zhang Hongsheng, executive dean of the School of Cultural Industry Management at the Communication University of China, jointly unveiled the "China-Japan Animation Industry Cooperation and Exchange Platform".

In the afternoon, the participants visited the "Cosmic Corridor" at the headquarters of China Animation Group and key animation enterprises in the China Animation Science and Technology Industrial Park, and held discussions and in-depth exchanges with representatives of cultural enterprises in the park.

Tokyo Venue:

This event was supported and co-organized by Beijing China-Japan Innovation Cooperation Demonstration Zone, Beijing Trade in Services Association, Tokyo Metropolitan Japan-China Friendship Association, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Beijing, Japan Enterprise (China) Research Institute, Zhongman Chantu (Beijing) Culture Co., Ltd., as well as the Regional Country Research Institute of the University of International Business and Economics, the School of Cultural Industry Management at the Communication University of China, and the International Strategic Research Institute of the Beijing Foreign Studies University.