To implement the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit, promote the realization of the “Eight Major Initiatives” on China-Arab practical cooperation, and strengthen in-depth cooperation between the China-Arab animation industry, the Sino-Arab Animation Industry Forum was held in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, from August 30 to September 1. The forum was hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of People’s Republic of China, the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, and the Secretariat of the League of Arab States; organized by the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and the Suzhou Municipal People’s Government; executed by the Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture Broadcasting and Tourism, and Suzhou Ori Animation Co., Ltd.; supported by the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee; and assisted by Nanjing University of the Arts and Purple Academy of Culture & Creativity.
The forum invited government authorities, animation enterprises, universities, and media representatives from China and Arab States, aiming to carry forward millennia-old Sino-Arab friendship, deepen pragmatic cooperation in the Sino-Arab animation industry, strengthen cultural exchanges, and promote mutual cultural understanding between China and Arab States.
On the afternoon of August 30th, the Sino-Arab Animation Industry Forum opened at the Suzhou Culture and Art Center Grand Theater. With the theme “New Era for China and Arab States, Animation Creates Future”, the forum gathered guests from nine countries and regions including Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Tunisia. Around 200 guests from home and abroad were invited. to discuss industry prospects and the vision of jointly building a better future under the Belt and Road Initiative.
At the opening ceremony, Suzhou Ori Animation and Saudi CineWaves Film jointly initiated the establishment of the Sino-Arab Animation Industry League with a number of Chinese and Arab institutions. The League aims to strengthen cooperation between China and Arab states in the fields of animation investment, creation, production, technology, talents, markets, etc. The League will collaborate closely on fostering the growth of the Sino-Arab animation industry. Besides, Chinese and Arabian cultural enterprises and institutions signed agreements on the co-production of TV animations and animated films, digital film cooperation, and film technology services for animations. Four pairs of universities from China and Arab states inked deals to promote the cultivation of talents in animation and arts.
Following the opening ceremony, a series of themed events took place. In the morning of August 31, Pitch Conference: Digital Intelligence Sharing in Sino-Arab Cities for a Better City Future showcased the latest achievements of the Sino-Arab cities’ digital cultural industry and the investment environment and advantages of the city cultural industry. The unveiling of the “Saudi Arabia CineWaves Films China Office” was a significant moment, marking the first establishment of a cultural office from an Arab region in China.
On the afternoon of August 31, at the Enterprise Forum with the theme “Exploring New Scenes, New Models and New Formats for Sino-Arab Animation Cooperation”, eight representatives of outstanding animation enterprises in China and the Arab States delivered speeches. They jointly discussed the trends in Sino-Arab animation production, innovation in content IP, new operation modes for the entire animation IP value chain, and the new patterns and opportunities of the animation industry in the market.
On the morning of September 1st, guests from numerous Chinese and Arab universities gathered at the Educational Forum with the theme “Cultivation of Cultural Talents in the Digital Transformation of International Education” to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen friendly cooperation in the field of higher education between China and the Arab States. The Youth Forum, themed “Youth Co-Creation: Giving Dynamism to the Digital Culture Industry,” featured six outstanding youth representatives who shared their ideas and aspirations for stimulating the development of the digital cultural industry, as well as their prospects for employment and development in this industry.
The Sino-Arab Animation Industry Forum has provided a new platform for communication and cooperation between Sino-Arab states. President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to promote Chinese culture globally, highlighting the role of culture in conveying messages and ideas to the world. Strengthening global cooperation and promoting animation for export are new requirements of the new era. The significance of this forum is to achieve global resource integration, promote China-Arab animation industry cooperation, and resolve challenges faced by both sides.
As the executor of this forum, Ori Animation fully utilized its own technical advantages and experience in successful international cooperation to boost and push pragmatic cooperation in the cultural industry. This effort contributes to enhancing cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. Ori will continue to maintain close communication with various Arab regions to further develop Sino-Arab cultural industry connections, build more platforms for cultural exchanges and cooperation, and open up wider opportunities and space for China-Arab cultural exchanges and cooperation.
