As China deepens its reform and opening-up drive, culture is no longer encaged in an ivory tower but has evolved into a term that is tangible to all.

The important thought of "Three Represents" put forward by Jiang Zemin, in which the Communist Party of China (CPC) represents the orientations of an advanced culture, has attached unprecedented significance to building the culture.

As China's market economy becomes increasingly mature, culture-related businesses have grown into a booming industry attracting a great number of elites, yielding not only big money, but also entertainment, education and encouragement for the whole nation.

Behind the economy, culture is the soul and an important driving force of a country as well as a city.

Aimed at building an integrated platform for the exhibition and trade of cultural products and research from all over the world, the First International Cultural Industry Fair Shenzhen, just like the China Hi-Tech Fair, is another regular international event in the city.

The fair, themed "better culture, better Shenzhen, China and the world," should be functioning as "Guang Jiao Hui" (Chinese Export Commodities Fair regularly held in Guangzhou) in the cultural field, as Shenzhen Mayor Li Hongzhong indicated.

One of the youngest and most dynamic cities in China, Shenzhen has taken great strides in building its own culture in many aspects, and the cultural fair, attended by many distinguished guests from home and abroad, will be a great cultural feast for all.

Editor: Olivia