The 13th Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industries Fair, held from Dec 4 to 7 in Xiamen, Fujian province, serves as a vital platform to propel cross-Straits exchanges and strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two sides, local officials said.

Hosted by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Radio and Television Administration and the Fujian provincial government, this year's event focuses on cross-Straits exchanges, digital innovation, industrial development and the consumption of culture and tourism.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair uses an online and offline blended model with innovative cultural experiences, forums and matchmaking events for major projects.

It boasts diverse activities such as a cross-Straits cultural and tourism meeting on intellectual property, a creative design competition and project promotion.

The offline part has an exhibition area of 68,000 square meters, with sections including arts and crafts, cultural tourism, creative design, digital entertainment, film and television, and 14 themed booths, attracting some 1,000 exhibitors.

The online part uses the latest technologies to build a cloud platform featuring "one exhibition and three centers".

The annual Xiamen cultural fair, launched in 2008, plays an important role in boosting cross-Straits cultural trade and exchanges.

In the past 12 years, the fair has been expanding in scale and is seen as a bridge for exhibitors and cultural industry practitioners on both sides of the Straits.

This year, a special cloud hall has been set up for exhibitors to showcase unique cultural products in various formats such as text, pictures, videos and 3D. Three digital centers have been built to cooperate with offline activities and online branch venues for connection and interaction.

Merchants can independently publish their investment and financing, procurement cooperation, regional expansion and other needs on the cloud platform during the exhibition, and update them in real time to promote the timeliness of connection.

Based on big data, accurate label management of exhibitors and cloud computing analysis, an intelligent push function can be realized.

Visitors can book places for live broadcasts and receive reminders to watch programs.

The conference is presented in real time by adopting multi-functional integrated media methods such as "graphic live broadcast, photo live broadcast, video live broadcast, and meeting shorthand".

A staff member introduces products to visitors during the 13th Cross-Strait (Xiamen) Cultural Industries Fair, held in Xiamen, Fujian province. CHINA DAILY