The forum has brought together over 800 delegates and been attended by former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, 2011 Nobel Laureate in Economics Thomas J Sargent, etc.
It also published the 2018 Report on Guangdong Enterprises Going Global Along the Belt and Road. Meanwhile, exhibitions covering books, intelligent manufacturing, cultural innovation, intangible cultural heritage and pictures are also be held.
Through the development of in-house IP (Intellectual Property), the implementation of cutting-edge technology, Guangdong companies involved in creative industries have begun to go global; furthering international cultural exchange in many fields. Here are stories about two Guangdong companies presenting their role in international cultural exchange along the Belt and Road.
The Chinese animation industry’s first encounter with Belt and Road
Guangdong-based animation and toy company, Alpha Group Co., Ltd creator of Super Wings, Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, established an exclusive department of overseas affairs in 2000, making clear the company’s goal to go global. 18 years later Alpha’s global expansion and cooperation with worldwide organizations is well underway, with shows broadcast, toys sold and IP authorized in over 100 countries and regions across the globe.
Alpha’s Super Wings has been a particular success for the company: an animation catering to pre-school children, the show has been broadcast in over 150 regions worldwide and has received over 20 billion online viewers since its debut at the end of 2015. An animated television series reflecting different world cultures, Super Wings was the first Chinese animation to be introduced across Belt and Road countries.
When it was introduced to Vietnam, however, the team had trouble getting it accepted by local television stations, said Seven Wang, Executive Assistant to President and PR Director. Vietnamese television, had never broadcast Chinese cartoons before and so they initially refused to air the show. Vietnamese networks typically import animations from Europe, America and Japan.
The show’s producer didn’t give up, however, and when a 10-mintue Vietnamese edition of Super Wings was played to the TV station director, he was moved by the show’s excellent production and plotting. In this chosen episode, the story is set in Vietnamese cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, highlighting Vietnamese culture and national dress. The director was very excited after watching it and realised that a Chinese company could indeed produce high quality animation.
The above story speaks volumes about Alpha’s experience of integrating diverse world cultures into its products, enabling them to be received by a global audience. Furthermore, Wang said she believes that Alpha’s IP can overcome cultural difference, because it speaks in universal values: fun, dreams and love.
Now Alpha is cooperating with more than 20 Belt and Road countries to jointly cultivate new IP. In addition to original ideas, the company is developing derivative products across many fields including food, toys and theme parks.
Technology brings immersivity to cultural activities
Guangzhou-based Time Network Technology Co., Ltd is a company involved in creative industries, using the latest VR/AR, holographic and 3D projection technology, to promote both the city’s and country’s image, and encourage cultural exchange and cooperation.
More than a traditional tech company, Time Network ties together the creative, tech and cultural tourism industries: according to Peng Liguo, vice president of Time Network, the company is focused on providing customers with great immersive experience when visiting museums, theme parks or exhibitions.
At the Guangdong Arts & Crafts Treasure Museum, visitors can find a lot of exhibitions facilitated by Time Network’s technology including AR, fusion projection, and other interactive systems. For instance, with an AR app installed on mobile devices can be used to enrich a viewer’s experience of artifacts; seeing a peony coming into bloom on a ceramic folding fan or,carps swimming on an embroidery. Thanks to the above technology, Guangdong’s cultural artifacts along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road can be enjoyed by more visitors in a more dynamic way, said Mr. Peng.
As regards image promotion,, a VR documentary was shown to attendees of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on May 14th, 2017. By strapping on VR headsets, viewers were transported across land and ocean to experience overseas oil and gas projects.
The film captured many people’s attention; saying that it paints a clear picture of China's role with regards to energy and the direction the country is headed. "The immersion and surprise delivered using VR technology are incomparable, far surpassing traditional means," director of the team's creative research and development department said.
A boy tries out VR equipment at Guangzhou's special VR zoo. [Photo/Chinanews.com]
The company’s most recent VR application allowed Guangzhou zoo to open the world’s first VR zoo on Jan 1st, 2018. During the first launch phase, the VR zoo was equipped with more than 20 robot-like devices allowing visitors to observe the feeding, playing and breeding of wild animals, through the help of mobile phones.
In addition, the technical team at Time Network created Guangzhou’s first-ever VR promo video, released at the city’s roadshows in Silicon Valley and Barcelona for the 2017 Fortune Global Forum. In the video, Guangzhou was presented to the world as an cosmopolitan, high-tech and artistic city.
Reported by Will
Edited by Simon
