Zigong hosts lantern trade conference to boost global cooperation

The Zigong Lantern Trade Conference kicked off in Zigong on May 14, bringing together guests from diplomatic, academic, internet and international communication circles to discuss the global expansion and future development of China's lantern industry.

Held under the theme "Lanterns Illuminating China, Shared Wisdom for the Future," the conference focused on key topics including the overseas promotion of Zigong lanterns, the integration of culture and tourism, global communication strategies and city branding.

Chen Yuming, former Chinese ambassador to Lithuania, Australia and Sweden, said at the event that greater efforts should be made to enhance the role of lanterns as bridges for cultural exchange, and also offered up suggestions for the future development of the Zigong lantern industry.

Li Jiashan, a professor at Beijing International Studies University, shared insights on new pathways for integrating Zigong lanterns with cultural tourism and promoting the industry overseas. She noted that Zigong still possesses untapped core resources with strong global influence potential.

Liu Zhen, vice president of Beijing Kuaishou Technology Co. Ltd., highlighted the mutually reinforcing relationship between lantern culture and short-video platforms, while French content creator Dantès Dai Liang delivered a presentation titled "Connecting the World Through Lanterns," offering an international perspective on enhancing the global appeal of Zigong lanterns.

During the conference, certificates were awarded to enterprises recognized under the 2025 regional public brand program for "Zigong Lanterns." 

Organizers also held award ceremonies for the Zigong Lantern Creative Competition and the best lantern installations of the 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival.

Meanwhile, the Zigong Lantern Industry Association officially released the 2025 Zigong Lantern Industry Development Report, outlining the current state, development trends and future plans of the industry, while providing authoritative data support for standardized industrial development.

The conference also produced substantial cooperation results, with 19 domestic and international projects signed on-site and via video link, involving a total contract value of 1.027 billion yuan. The agreements are expected to further expand the domestic and international market presence of Zigong lantern enterprises.

As one of the event's key exhibition sections, the "Connecting Global Supply Chains" lantern industry exhibition was held simultaneously at the Chinese Lantern World scenic area in Zigong, showcasing the achievements of the entire lantern industry chain.

The exhibition brought together 60 participating enterprises and 54 exhibition booths from Zigong and other parts of China, featuring four major exhibition zones covering lantern design, production, technological applications and creative integration.

Additional activities, including enterprise visits and lantern product experiences, were also organized to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between upstream and downstream industry participants.

Organizers said the conference has effectively connected high-quality resources across the industrial chain and promoted the coordinated development of the lantern industry with technological innovation, cultural tourism integration and urban development.