CRI听力:Hebei: Cultural Prosperity to Boost Economic Development

This is Ping Opera, one of the most popular art forms in northern China.

It origins trace back to Luan County here in Hebei.

The County has been officially named "the hometown of Ping Opera."

As part of this year's Luan River Cultural Festival, singers, painters and calligraphers from Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, or as its being dubbed, Jing-Jin-Ji, are gathering here in the county.

Zhang Junling is a renowned Ping Opera artist.

"With the central government pushing culture in the Jing-Jin-Ji region, we, as artists, are doing our best to help. Luan County is a good example. There is a lot of cultural heritage in the Luan River area. It's history flows out into the culture of Tangshan downstream. I believe Luan County is the root of our culture in Hebei."

One of the advantages the Jing-Jin-ji region has is its cultural similarities.

This makes it easier when it comes to communication and collaboration.

Liu Lanfang, vice president of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles says the development of culture in the capital region will help promote economic development as well.

"This year's cultural festival in Luan County includes a business and investment conference. In this way, we think cultural activities can provide a platform where business activities are the main performers. As you know, the County has just been named 'the hometown of Ping Opera.' This will help enhance our traditional culture. The local leaders really want to promote cultural development. Luan County itself is on a plain, and doesn't have much in the way of natural resources. This is why the local officials want to develop culture and tourism, because it's both necessary and cost-effective."

Professor Liang Benfan with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences says promoting the local culture will help increase tourism.

"There are a lot of cultural and tourist activities in Hebei. Beijing is massive tourist destination on its own. But the question is, how do we stretch Beijing's influence into other parts of the region? If we can do this, Hebei will be much better-known throughout the world. If we can find a way to better-promote Hebei through reform and innovation, it will go a long way to help generate cash, which will help both the public finances and society in-general."

For CRI, I'm Luo Yu reporting in Hebei.