Since the first China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair was held in Guangdong province in 2004, it has become an important driver of cultural development in China, and a platform for promoting Chinese culture abroad.

The 18th fair, organized on a grander scale than ever, kicked off on Wednesday, and will run until Jan 2. It will be host to more than 2,500 government-organized groups, cultural institutions and companies, while an additional 800 institutions and companies will take part online, 300 of which are from outside the country.

As of Wednesday, 10,931 overseas purchasers from 108 countries and regions, including France, Germany and Pakistan, had registered to view the exhibitions and make purchases online.

The main venue is the 120,000-square-meter Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center and there are also 65 branch venues scattered across the city, where a range of activities will be held.

For example, the Artron (Shenzhen) Art Center venue will be holding a number of art exhibitions on woodblock painting, ancient books and the combination of art and technology. It will also organize cultural activities for local residents to learn how to make a book, including how to make paper, how to print, design and bind books, to teach them a little of the creativity involved in making books.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the fair showcases more than 100,000 cultural and creative exhibits from China and abroad, with some 4,000 cultural investment and financing projects displayed and exchanged every year.