On the afternoon of December 18, the delegation headed by Wu Xiaolin, Inspector at Level 1 of Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, paid a visit to Jiangbei New Area to inspect the work of China (Jiangsu) Pilot Free Trade Zone Nanjing Area in the storage and exhibition of cultural relics and artworks, accompanied by Li Baoping, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Jiangbei New Area.

Authorities of Jiangbei New Area reported on their endeavors to promote the storage and exhibition of cultural relics and artworks in the Pilot Free Trade Zone at the meeting, saying that the establishment of the Pilot Free Trade Zone offers an opportunity to Jiangbei New Area to achieve leapfrog development in cultural industries. The provincial and municipal authorities highly valued and supported Jiangbei New Area’s efforts in tapping the advantages of institutional innovation of the Pilot Free Trade Zone to develop cultural industries and granted it more autonomy with respect to the storage and exhibition of cultural relics and artworks in the comprehensive bonded zone.

Since this year, Jiangbei New Area have conducted industry research, attracted businesses and investment, undertaken administrative items that have been delegated by provincial departments, charted out the course for future development of cultural industries, and drawn experience from the pilot reform of the construction of Shanghai Free Trade Zone International Art Trading Center. Based on its foundation and actual needs in cultural undertakings and industrial development, tapping the advantages of institutional innovation of the Pilot Free Trade Zone, Jiangbei New Area has been advancing the construction of a cultural hub and promoting the storage and exhibition of cultural relics and artworks in the Pilot Free Trade Zone.

In the next stage, Jiangbei New Area will set up a leading group, operating departments and development platforms to enhance institutional innovation, strengthen policy support and services, and improve the storage and exhibition of cultural relics and artworks through multiple channels in various aspects.

Li Baoping said that Jiangbei New Area will strengthen communication and cooperation with the Customs and explore institutional innovation so that the Pilot Free Trade Zone could deliver tangible results in the storage and exhibition of cultural relics and artworks in the comprehensive bonded zone. It will continue to establish liaison and learning mechanisms with relevant authorities and enterprises to ensure the storage, exhibition, exchange and research of cultural relics and artworks are conducted on a regular basis. In addition, based on the cultural facilities and platforms including the new building of Nanjing Art Museum, Jiangbei Library and Jiangbei New Area Civic Center, Jiangbei New Area will hold exhibitions of cultural relics and artworks at stated periods, build a cultural center to enrich the cultural life of the locals, speed up efforts to foster cultural enterprises and cultural ecosystems, and develop cultural brands and industries with distinctive characteristics.

Wu Xiaolin said that Jiangbei New Area should take its unique advantages as a state-level new area and a pilot free trade zone, facilitate the settlement of cultural enterprises and introduction of cultural talents, strengthen the construction of cultural facilities, and promote the development of cultural undertakings and industries. In terms of the storage and exhibition of cultural relics and artworks, the Provincial Department of Cultural and Tourism will lead policy innovation based on actual needs and maintain close communication and cooperation with Jiangbei New Area to boost the development of cultural undertakings and industries in the Area.

After the meeting, the delegation toured the new building of Nanjing Art Museum, Jiangbei Library, underground space project of Jiangbei New Area and the museum of planning of Jiangbei New Area.