A Pearl Embedded in the New Silk Road

Cultural Exchanges Expand

“Tradition is well preserved in Kaifeng. If it weren’t it would lose its meaning.” As a city planner, Ji has a clear understanding about the city’s future: “The New Silk Road Economic Belt gives us a good opportunity for cultural exchange and regeneration.”

In Ji’s understanding, the New Silk Road can accelerate both Kaifeng’s economy and its culture along the way.

Over 2,000 years ago, Zhang Qian, as envoy of the Chinese emperor, walked westward over hills and across rivers to reach Central Asia. The diplomatic mission unexpectedly paved a way for trade. Via this new route, China exported silk and porcelain to Central Asia and Europe and imported Western produce such as pomegranates, grapes and walnuts. China’s iron casting expertise were introduced to Europe, while India’s Buddhism and Greece’s sculpture art were brought to China and influenced the country in a profound way. “When Zhang Qian was sent west, he promoted Chinese culture on the way out and brought back foreign cultures on his return,” Ji said. “Material exchange is always accompanied by cultural communication, and cultural exchange can promote trade.”

Because of its role as an ancient trade hub, Kaifeng has become open to exotic cultures. The famous local dish Pa Guangdu, mainly made of large fish maw, an ingredient that is hard to find in an inland city, actually originated in India and Pakistan, but was introduced to Kaifeng by passing tradesmen. Today, the local government is united in its efforts to enrich local culture by absorbing foreign elements. In the last couple of years, the city introduced a puppet festival and swing contest, attracting large audiences. Meanwhile, Kaifeng strives to promote its local culture and specialties like calligraphic art, Bian embroidery, Guan porcelain and woodblock printing. The Kaifeng acrobatic troupe performs across the country and even internationally. In 2013, Kaifeng established the friendship city relationship with Kiryat Motzkin, Israel. The partnership has strengthened cooperation in tourism, culture and art, relic preservation and agricultural technology.

“The next step is to take advantage of the New Silk Road Economic Belt to promote our traditional culture as well as introduce new ideas,” Ji said. “The integration will boost communication and innovation, and inject vigor into our traditional culture.”

Kaifeng’s snacks are well known throughout the country.

Cultural Industry Boost

It is, of course, the government’s responsibility to develop the economy and improve people’s livelihood. The Kaifeng municipal government has outlined a long-term plan on how to make the most of its position and orientate itself to do just that.

Kaifeng’s culture is its trump card that should be given full play and hence boost the local economy, according to Ji.

He believes that culture is the soft power of a city, while the economy is the hard power. But soft power can become hard power. Cultural industry accounts for 25 percent of GDP in the U.S., 17 percent in Japan and 10 percent in Britain. In China, the figure is only three percent and in Henan Province 2.26 percent. However, in Kaifeng 5.5 percent of its GDP comes from cultural industry, higher than the average level of the province and the country. “This sets us apart,” Ji asserted. “Cultural industry is a growth industry, a powerful part of the tertiary industry sector, which is able to drive the economy and enrich society.”

Cultural industry can cultivate job opportunities and boost the economy. With the construction of the New Silk Road Economic Belt, Kaifeng plans to introduce new ideas to vitalize local culture and transform it into economic benefits.

Ji introduced the idea of a triad of culture, business and tourism: By creating cultural products for visitors and adding cultural elements to tourist products and services, cultural industry will become more popular in the market. An example of the harmony of these three aspects in motion is the Little Song City Comprehensive Business Zone. Dubbed the “living room of Kaifeng,” the zone was restructured and has become a must-see destination where tourists can taste local food and experience folk arts. Kaifeng now has new tourist attractions – the Yuhe River, Shudian Street (literally, Bookshop Street, famed as the center for bookshops in the Qing Dynasty) and Gulou Street – and three performances showcasing the prosperity of the Song Dynasty.

Ji believes that the construction of the New Silk Road Economic Belt aims to boost industries through cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Along with increasing exchanges and tourism, new projects are expected. The economic belt, initiated by President Xi Jinping, is not only an economic move, but also a cultural one, and will ultimately propel global peace and development.