The 17th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo opens in Hangzhou on Nov 23. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

The 17th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo kicked off in Hangzhou on Nov 23.

This edition of the expo features over 5,000 brands both online and onsite, with the main exhibition area at the Baima Lake International Convention and Exhibition Center covering 65,000 square meters.

For the first time, the international exhibition area exceeds 50 percent of the total display area, with over 60 countries and regions participating. More than 500 internationally-renowned cultural and creative brands, with 40 percent presenting global limited editions and 75 percent entering the Chinese market for the first time, have gathered to showcase their innovations.

The expo has attracted over 100 participants from prestigious domestic institutions and renowned museums from countries like France, Italy, and Bulgaria. Thirteen business forums and cultural dialogues are scheduled to take place, and industry white papers, including the Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Investment and Development Report (2022-23), will be unveiled.