On 7 25, the "Report on Development Trends of Digital Economy and Traditional Culture Integration" was officially launched in Beijing. Compiled by leading domestic research institutions in collaboration with multiple cultural technology enterprises, the report systematically reviews the latest practices and evolutionary directions of digital technologies empowering the inheritance and innovation of traditional culture. Centered on the theme "Digital Intelligence Empowerment, Cultural Renaissance," the report establishes three analytical dimensions—technology-driven development, business model innovation, and ecosystem co-construction—to chart a clear path for the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture in the digital era.
This report combines theoretical depth with practical breadth, structured around four key sections: overall trends, technology applications, industry practices, and policy recommendations. It features case studies on cutting-edge technologies—including big data, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain—in cultural heritage preservation, intangible cultural heritage transmission, and the integration of culture and tourism. The report offers a comprehensive overview, conveying the vision of "enhancing efficiency through digital means and shaping souls through culture," symbolizing mutual empowerment between the digital economy and traditional culture to build a new ecosystem for cultural inheritance.
Since the report compilation began in 2025, the research team conducted a comprehensive survey over nearly one year. The mid-term seminar was held in Hangzhou in 4 of 2026, attended by more than 80 representatives from academia, industry, and government. Prior to the meeting, multiple rounds of field visits covered nearly 100 units—including museums, intangible cultural heritage workshops, and digital culture enterprises—across 12 provinces and cities nationwide. At the press conference, the lead editor emphasized that the report will focus on trend analysis and case studies as its core deliverables. Anchored in three pillars—technology enablement, business model innovation, and talent development—the report will advance three practical pathways: digital collection building, immersive experience development, and digitized transmission of intangible cultural heritage. This aligns with the national strategy for cultural digitization and drives traditional culture from "passive preservation" to "active growth."
Publishing the report at this node carries both contemporary and practical significance. As a cultural powerhouse with the world's largest digital economy, China leverages vast cultural resources and a complete digital industrial chain to fully realize the benefits of deep technology-culture integration, offering a real-world model for the modern dissemination of excellent traditional Chinese culture. The report is now live on digital reading platforms and a policy suggestion channel, establishing a collaborative exchange platform for industry, academia, research, and application to welcome all sectors of society in shaping the future of cultural digitization.
The global cultural landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Traditional culture faces critical challenges, including audience fragmentation, limited distribution channels, and insufficient conversion efficiency. As a core driver, digital technology holds immense significance for deepening integrated applications. This report establishes a dialogue platform for trend analysis and experience sharing to foster consensus and collaboration among all stakeholders. We will focus on key issues such as digital technology standardization, the commoditization of cultural data assets, and cross-disciplinary talent development to offer constructive recommendations. Through pragmatic action, we aim to revitalize traditional culture in the contemporary era, jointly building an open, innovative, inclusive, and shared digital cultural ecosystem. This will inject enduring digital momentum into the inheritance and development of Chinese culture and the mutual learning of world civilizations.