“Open business card”

The “global supermarket” is open to visitors, and companies purchase global high-end goods on the one-stop platform. Companies in Nanjing set up pavilions on the global platform, where they show their advanced equipment and upgrade consumer goods. Nanjing will organize economic and trade exchange activities to promote the city to the world and invite companies to enter and invest in the city.

The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened on November 5 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and is scheduled to close on November 10. On the platform connecting the world, Nanjing will show its charm amid high-standard opening-up via international procurement, economic and trade exchanges, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and more.

Participate in cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and present “Jinling elegance”

The works exhibited by Nanjing ‘Yunjin’ Brocade Research Institute, a regular exhibitor at the CIIE, are much loved by Chinese and foreign visitors. Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix Patterned Horse-face Skirt (mamianqun) that was produced to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the inscription of Yunjin brocade craftsmanship on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and Long Yin Xian Rui and Wan Shi Chang Long, two works under a collection of Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Museum, will make their debut at this year’s expo. New breakthroughs have been made in materials, design and craftsmanship of these artworks.

Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix Patterned Horse-face Skirt was inspired by auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The horse-face skirt was created with the traditional weaving technique added to the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and a technological approach, demonstrating both inheritance and innovation. In the design phase, CAD software was used to create drawings, which shortened the production cycle and reduced labor costs. On the basis of the original mulberry silk and gold thread, modern fibres were added to make such skirt, in a bid to cater to the modern dress style. Fibres give it a graceful drape and a nice look and make it easier to maintain. Both Long Yin Xian Rui and Wan Shi Chang Long were made with patterns from imperial yunjin robe relics.

The secondary creation based on the traditional patterns and innovation in materials represent a blend between the traditional aesthetics exemplified by yunjin brocade and modern aesthetics, said a person in charge of Nanjing ‘Yunjin’ Brocade Research Institute. They hope to make yunjin brocade not only a museum collection, but a “cultural business card”.

During the CIIE, nine time-honored companies in Nanjing will participate in cultural and people-to-people exchanges of the Jiangsu trading delegation and show the cultural charm and consumption trend of the ancient capital of six dynasties.

Sui Yuan Gao Tuan, a pastry maker in Nanjing, will become a first-time exhibitor at the CIIE. A source from the company said that it will focus on exhibiting products like steamed rice cakes and riverstone-like glutinous rice balls, which were innovatively developed using the traditional technique and are well-received among young people. The pastry maker looks forward to attending the CIIE and she hopes that more time-honored techniques will be known to the world, the source added. It will demonstrate the art of making steamed rice cakes at the expo.