21书评｜创意经济“出海”：需有针对性突破贸易壁垒

Core Insights - The creative economy has become a significant driver of global economic growth, accounting for 6.8% of global economic value added, with notable performance in countries like the UK, US, and South Korea [1][5] - China's creative industry is rapidly expanding in international markets, facing challenges in statistics, policy support, and data capabilities [1][5] Group 1: Growth of China's Creative Industry - China's cross-border trade in creative industries has shown strong growth, with the number of key cultural export enterprises increasing from 142 in 2007 to 404 by 2025, reflecting an annual growth rate of 12.1% [5] - The total value of China's cultural trade has surged from $16.64 billion in 2007 to approximately $194.33 billion by 2024, representing a growth of over ten times [5] - In 2024, China's cultural trade accounted for 19.4% of the global total, with an annual growth rate of 12.7% from 2007 to 2024, significantly surpassing the international average [5] Group 2: Digital Transformation and Investment - The integration of digital technology is driving the growth of China's creative industries, particularly in digital content and cultural technology sectors, with areas like animation, online literature, and digital film becoming investment hotspots [6] - The number of digital culture-related enterprises among key cultural export companies increased from 15 (10.6% of the total) in 2007 to 144 (35.6%) in 2025, highlighting the impact of digital technology on cultural trade [5][6] Group 3: Challenges and Barriers - China's creative industries face several barriers in the globalization process, including digital trade restrictions, cultural recognition differences, and conflicts in international regulations [6][7] - The debate over "cultural exception" within the WTO framework presents challenges, as countries like France advocate for protecting local cultures while the US supports free trade principles for digital cultural products [7] - To navigate these challenges, Chinese cultural enterprises are encouraged to develop comprehensive risk management systems, utilizing big data for real-time monitoring and analysis of investment environments [7] Group 4: Cultural Exchange and Development - High-quality development of cultural trade requires a balance between exports and imports, promoting both the outbound flow of Chinese culture and the import of foreign cultural products [8] - Significant progress has been made in China's cultural trade through top-level design, the establishment of cultural free trade zones, and interdisciplinary talent cultivation [8]