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China–Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation Launches in Hangzhou
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6th June 2025
On 5th June 2025, the launch conference of the China–Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation (CECCI) was successfully held in Hangzhou, China, marking the official inauguration of the Centre. Its establishment signifies the creation of a new platform for people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Europe across various cultural fields.
The event brought together more than 200 participants, including representatives from government departments, provincial and municipal international communication centres, cultural institutions, and academic experts from across China, as well as nearly 30 international representatives from the United Kingdom, Russia, Morocco, Tajikistan, and other countries. The launch took place at the BRICS Special Economic Zone China Cooperation Centre in Hangzhou.
Attending the ceremony were Fang Jun, Vice Chairperson of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party and Chairperson of its Hangzhou Municipal Committee; Xu Shiqing, President of Hangzhou Polytechnic University; Li Jun, Vice President of the Hangzhou Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA), President of the Qiantang District WRSA, and Deputy Director of the Qiantang New Area Administrative Committee; Yang Fan, Member of the Hangzhou Municipal Committee of the Zhi Gong Party, Chairperson of its Qiantang Branch, and Vice Chairperson of the Qiantang District CPPCC; Lan Yuejun, Deputy Director of the Lishui Municipal Foreign Affairs Office; Rong Tingrong, Executive Deputy Head of the United Front Work Department of the Qiantang District Committee; Xia Haiqin, Director of the Qiantang District Bureau of Civil Affairs, Culture, Tourism and Sports; Zhang Huiqing, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Qiantang District Committee; and Li Min, leader of the Qiantang District Committee.
The launch event was jointly organised by the Hangzhou Municipal Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, the Hangzhou Western Returned Scholars Association, the Publicity Department of the CPC Qiantang District Committee, and the CPC Qiantang District Committee. It was co-organised by the Qiantang Branch of the China Zhi Gong Party, the Qiantang Western Returned Scholars Association, the Qiantang District Bureau of Commerce, the Qiantang District Bureau of Civil Affairs, Culture, Tourism and Sports, and the China–Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation (CECCI). The event also received strong support from Hangzhou Polytechnic University, the School of Journalism and New Media XJTU, the National Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication at the Communication University of China, Hunan Broadcasting System International Channel, Gansu International Communication Centre, the Hubei Overseas Chinese International Cultural Exchange Promotion Association, Jinan International Communication Centre, and the Hangzhou Jinsha Lake Grand Theatre.
In the speech, Fang Jun noted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Zhigong Party and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe. The founding of the CECCI, at such a significant historical juncture, not only embodies the Zhigong Party's core but also represents an innovative exploration in Hangzhou's efforts to deepen China-Europe cooperation through culture. The establishment of the China-Europe Centre serves as a proactive response from the Zhigong Party's members to the national strategy and the broader open agenda, creating an important platform for further enhancing China-Europe all-round exchanges and cooperation, while injecting new momentum into the development of an open world economy.
Bryson Xue, a member of the Zhigong Party's Qiantang branch and chairman of the CECCI, expressed that the establishment of the Centre is a vivid reflection of President Xi Jinping’s instructions to strengthen cultural exchanges between China and Europe and to build a bridge of shared civilisations. It will also play a significant role in promoting practical cultural and economic exchanges between China and Europe, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and strengthening the grassroots civil foundation for Sino-European friendship, thereby contributing to the stable development of China-Europe relations.
At the press conference, Dr. Wei Ming from the National Key Laboratory of Media Integration and Communication at the Communication University of China, and an engineer at a national research institute, shared insights on new approaches for cultural exports from China, particularly focusing on the Labubu overseas phenomenon, offering significant lessons for China's cultural outreach.
Lyu Lin, a representative from the Shanghai International Arts Festival Centre, discussed new opportunities for cultural exports through the lens of art. She highlighted how cultural heritage IPs are expanding their reach and shared examples of the Shanghai-Edinburgh dual-city collaboration, underlining the three core strategies of talent cultivation, content co-creation, and channel sharing. She emphasised that real cultural export is not merely about "sending performances abroad", but about "planting performances in people's hearts."
Anna Bulman from the UK shared her authentic experience of life in China from a "third-eye" perspective. She spoke about the fascinating fusion of tradition and modernity in young Chinese people, and how traditional culture is being revitalised through innovation. These vibrant cases drastically changed her perception of China and provided a fresh perspective on cultural exports.
The event also launched the Higher Link International Communication Alliance and signed agreements with six cultural, academic, and international communication institutions from across the country, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to promote international cultural exchange and communication.
The alliance will adhere to the principles of "equality, mutual trust, resource sharing, collaborative innovation, and win-win cooperation", focusing on the continuous development of international cultural exchange and communication. It aims to create a multidimensional platform for international cultural exchange and communication, covering areas such as international cultural dissemination, art exhibitions, international education exchange, and media cooperation. By leveraging resources and strengths, the alliance will support China’s cultural "going global" initiative while also bringing in high-quality international cultural resources to facilitate two-way exchanges and cooperation. Regular meetings will be held to promote information exchange and resource sharing, facilitating cross-sector cooperation. The alliance aims to shift from "single breakthroughs" to "eco-building", from "one-way output" to "dual empowerment", and from "generalised dissemination" to "targeted reach", thus enhancing national cultural soft power, invigorating local cultural vitality, and nurturing new forces for future communication.
The event also featured a "Zhigong Talks" session with cultural experts and scholars from China and abroad, focusing on the theme "From Cultural Industry Exports to Cultural Exports: Exploring New Paths for 'Symbol' Exports". Jinan International Communication Centre Deputy Director Liang Ruxiao shared insights on the opportunities and challenges of international communication for Chinese cities, illustrating how cities can enhance their global narrative abilities. Professor Da Yanan from Xi’an Jiaotong University’s International Communication Department analysed the academic exploration of precise pathways for regional international communication. Xu Shiqing shared Hangzhou Polytechnic University’s experience in international brand communication, showcasing the innovative model of "industry-education integration + cultural output". Li Jun focused on cultural symbolism and the strategies to overcome international recognition barriers, while Yi Huan from the Zhigong Party’s Yuhang grassroots committee shared examples of using tea as a medium for building Sino-French cultural bridges, transforming individual actions into collective resonance.
During the Q&A session, there was a lively exchange of ideas, with participants expressing a more systematic understanding of the logic behind cultural export "breakthroughs". They eagerly anticipated further cross-sector collaborations to present Chinese culture to the world in a more vivid manner.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of China-Europe diplomatic relations and the 100th anniversary of the Zhigong Party, this culturally-driven innovation not only vividly demonstrates the concept of "nation-to-nation ties through people-to-people connections", but also opens a new window for "civilisation mutual learning", serving Hangzhou, the nation, and the world.
图片及内容版权归CECCI所有，如发现侵权或盗用行为将追究法律责任
All images and content are the property of CECCI. Any unauthorised use or infringement will result in legal action.