Beijing's creative industry sharpens competitive edge

BEIJING -- Beijing's cultural and creative industry generated 169.22 billion yuan ($25.6 billion) in added value output in 2010, an increment of nearly 20 billion yuan on the previous year, according to government sources.

The output accounted for 12.3 percent of the city's gross domestic product (GDP).

The sector's growth rate averaged 20 percent for each of the past five years.

Between 2006 and 2010, the city approved 30 cultural and creative industrial zones, coving at least 10,000 enterprises. In 798 Art Zone alone, more than 450 artistic businesses set footholds, attracting more than 2 million visitors last year.