The Henan Provincial Fan Li Culture Research Institute is set up at Wancheng district in Nanyang, Henan province, on March 30. [Photo by Sun Xizeng and Zhou Yongsheng / hnr.cn]

The Henan Provincial Fan Li Culture Research Institute was established at Wancheng district in Nanyang, Henan province, on March 30, to provide research and development into initiatives that could benefit the local economy.

The inaugural meeting of the Henan Provincial Fan Li Culture Research Institute at Wancheng district in Nanyang, Henan province. [Photo by Sun Xizeng and Zhou Yongsheng / hnr.cn]

Fan Li was an ancient Chinese advisor and prominent businessman in the state of Yue during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC)?in Chinese history, and whose hometown was Wancheng.

At the inaugural meeting, Zheng Xinli, primary deputy director of the Central Policy Research Office, and Li Jinming, primary deputy director of the Committee of Population Resources and Environment of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, unveiled the nameplate for the institute.

Mu Weimin, secretary of Nanyang municipal Party committee, expressed his admiration for the institute and that he looked forward to the positive effects that it will have on the economy. He said that the establishment of the institute would help promote and publicize Nanyang, and also contribute to attracting investment.

Liu Zhongqing, secretary of Wancheng district Party committee, makes a speech at the inaugural meeting. [Photo by Sun Xizeng and Zhou Yongsheng / hnr.cn]

Liu Zhongqing, secretary of Wancheng district Party committee, said that it and the government have been devoted to developing the cultural brand of Fan Li's hometown and carrying out academic research and exchanges in a bid to promote Wancheng district's economic and cultural development.

Edited by Owen Fishwick