BEIJING -The Qinhuangdao government signed an agreement with State-owned Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group on March 1 to develop a new cultural zone in the seaside city.

The first phase of the Cultural Development Model Zone will be an international youth cultural exchange center in the city of Hebei province known for its Beidaihe resort just a two-hour drive from the Chinese capital.

The 10,000 square meter youth center will be located on a half-hectare parcel in a prime area of the city, said Gehua General Manager Li Danyang.

"Our second step is to set up and operate a cultural innovation center in the city the next two or three years covering nearly 50 hectares," Li said.

According to Shi Xiaofeng, Qinhuangdao publicity director, the recent agreement with Gehua is part of the plans to make the cultural sector an economic pillar of the city.

Qinhuangdao has been named among the first batch of national public cultural service zones, making it eligible for preferential policies that include incentives to attract talented professionals.

Li said the agreement by Gehua is part of its efforts to "go outside of Beijing," home to its national headquarters and traditional location of its businesses.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), Gehua will build and help operate more venues for cultural activities in second and third-tier cities, Li said.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/06/2012 page15)