Chinese traditional, Ancient china, Mandarin Gown

Around 200 Chinese and US officials, Hollywood business people and representatives of the local Chinese-American community attended a seminar held by Shanghai in Pasadena, eastern Los Angeles, on showcasing investment opportunities in Shanghai's culture and entertainment industries.

In his presentation at the seminar, Song Chao, director of the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government, outlined the policies and goals of Shanghai's bid to become a major cultural and entertainment center.

"A window on China's reform and opening-up, Shanghai is full of vitality and opportunity and has attracted world attention ... Shanghai's fast development is shown not only in the economic field, but also in the prosperous cultural sector," said Song.

"Once known as 'the Paris in the Orient,' Shanghai has been a place where Chinese and Western cultures meet. Rapid cultural development is adding new charm to the city," he said.

Shanghai set the goal of turning itself into an international cultural and entertainment center at a recent conference held by the municipal government on how to implement the instructions given by China's President Hu Jingtao during his inspection tour of the city in July, according to Song.

President Hu urged the Shanghai government to "go all out to develop its culture while striving to turn itself into one of the leading commercial, financial, trade and transport centers in the world."

The Shanghai Government decided to accelerate the city's cultural development while preparing for the 2010 World Expo to beheld in the city. Among the goals are quickening the process of media interaction and digitalization, improving the market for art performances, pushing for film-making and cinema construction, developing Internet services and promoting cultural training.

For the past few years, Shanghai has made remarkable progress in cultural development. The city also regularly hosts cultural festivals that attract visitors from all over the world.

"We sincerely welcome friends from American business and cultural circles to cooperate with Shanghai enterprises and institutions through capital and intellectual involvement," Song said.