Core Insights - The first Western Pearl Industry Development Conference and Jewelry Expo was held in Kaijiang, Sichuan Province, focusing on the theme "China's Western Pearl. From Now On, Kaijiang" [1] - The "Western Pearl" regional public brand was officially launched, emphasizing its role as a national and global industry identifier [3] - Kaijiang aims to become a leading hub for the pearl industry in Western China, with a goal to exceed 10 billion yuan in comprehensive industrial output value within 3 to 5 years [5] Industry Overview - The conference gathered top experts, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from the jewelry, agriculture, and rural revitalization sectors [1] - Kaijiang's ecological advantages position it as a natural habitat for pearls, with a current freshwater non-nucleated pearl farming area of 17,000 acres and an annual production of 30.8 tons, accounting for over 20% of the national output [3] - The region's pearl farming scale and output are the highest in Western China, with jewelry-grade pearls making up to 6% of the total production [3] Future Goals - The local government aims to establish Kaijiang as a model for ecological circular farming and a comprehensive industrial chain development area [5] - The unveiling of the world's largest free pearl, weighing 2,036 grams and valued at over 100 million USD, highlighted the expo [5] - The event will continue until October 8, featuring various industry seminars and product exhibitions to invigorate the Western pearl industry [5]

Core Insights - The first Western Pearl Industry Development Conference and Jewelry Expo was held in Kaijiang County, Sichuan, attracting over 500 industry experts and leaders, marking a milestone in the development of the western pearl industry [1] - The "West Pearl" regional public brand was officially launched, emphasizing its role as a national and global industry identifier, with Kaijiang being recognized for its ecological advantages as a prime location for top-quality pearls [2] - Kaijiang aims to become a new engine for agricultural specialty industries in Sichuan, with a goal to exceed 10 billion yuan in comprehensive output value for the pearl industry within 3 to 5 years [2] Industry Development - Kaijiang has established the only pearl industrial park in the western region, with 14 supportive policies covering the entire pearl industry chain, including processing, design, and sales [3] - The pearl farming area in Kaijiang spans 17,000 acres, producing 30.8 tons of pearls annually, accounting for over 20% of the national output, with the highest proportion of jewelry-grade pearls reaching 6% [2] - A total of 41 projects were signed during the conference, with 9 signed on-site, involving various aspects of the pearl industry, enhancing market recognition [3] Cultural and Economic Integration - Kaijiang promotes a dual empowerment model of "cultural tourism + industries" to enhance the local tourism economy, with activities like blind box pearl opening and cultural experiences attracting numerous visitors [4] - The integration of pearls with jade, gold, and cultural creativity has led to the development of innovative products, increasing the added value of pearl products and promoting local cultural heritage [4] - A cooperative mechanism involving enterprises, village collectives, and farmers has been established, benefiting over a thousand local residents and significantly increasing their income [4] Notable Highlights - The world's largest free-floating pearl, weighing 2036 grams and valued at over 100 million USD, was showcased at the expo, drawing significant attention [5] - The conference will continue until October 8, featuring various industry seminars and product exhibitions to further invigorate the western pearl industry [5]