Exploring the rise of cultural industries in China. Selective industrial policies and economic performancies towards a knowledge-intensive economy

This paper analyses the increasing role of Chinese cultural industries (CIs) in the country’s political agenda and new normal economic growth model. Firstly, this exploratory study provides an overview of selective policies enacted by the Chinese government to promote CIs. Recent trends in CIs are analysed and compared with manufacturing sectors by applying an Economic Performance Index (EPI). The Index measures the economic performance of manufacturing industries. It shows that several Chinese «traditional» manufacturing sectors – characterised by low levels of creativity and innovation – are progressively losing their position in the national economy, while CIs are increasing their strategic role in promoting economic development. The paper reveals a consistency between national policy actions and the performances of the CIs, highlighting the general orientation of the Chinese political and economic system towards a knowledge-intensive economic development.