The fifth Cross-Straits Cultural Industries Fair kicks off on Oct 26 in Xiamen, Fujian province.

The Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone signed a wood- and shell-carving cultural park project at the fifth Cross-Straits Cultural Industries Fair, which kicked off on Oct 26 in Xiamen, Fujian province.

The newly signed project attracted an investment of 100 million yuan ($15.87 million).

The project is a cooperation between the Fujian Yingxiang Haitan Culture and Innovation Company and the Cross-Straits Cultural Communication Association from Taiwan. It will be located at Houtian village in Pingtan's Liushui town.

Designs for the park are currently in process. Its construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.

Gao Meiya, secretary general of the Cross-Straits Cultural Communication Association, said wood- and shell-carving is a combination of traditional arts, such as Chinese painting and calligraphy, and modern technologies. It is a creative artistic form of expression.

"The project will invite local craftsmen to materialize creative carving ideas from Taiwan. Pingtan hopes to develop itself as a brand name for wood- and shell-carving in the cultural industry," said Gaoyuan, director of Pingtan's bureau of science, technology, literature and sports.

The fair also provided an exhibition opportunity for Pingtan's traditional folk and marine culture, especially its tengpai (or cane shield) performance, a world non-material cultural heritage.

Edited by Michael Thai