“ROAMING” through 17 cities along China’s Grand Canal in just one pass, watching people from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) figure skating on lakes near the Forbidden City and enjoying virtual lion dances from Guangzhou’s old town, Yongqing Fang, with an augmented reality device — these were just some of the interactive and immersive experiences visitors had at the 17th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) which was held from Sept. 23 through yesterday. At the fair’s main venue, the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center in Bao’an District, a number of cultural products enhanced by advanced technologies, such as autostereoscopy, holographic projection, virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D modeling and visualization, artificial intelligence and 5G, stole the show, presenting the future of the digital cultural industry. As the digital creative industry has been included in China’s strategic emerging industries plan, the country is developing the industry with culture-led, advanced technologies and a complete chain. The annual ICIF also displayed thousands of exquisite and novel arts and crafts pieces, cultural tourism services, intangible cultural heritage products and creative living items at the 120,000-square-meter main venue, providing visitors with a feast for the eyes.(Cao Zhen) | 