Ten key cultural industry projects were signed on the opening day of the eighth Shandong International Cultural Industries Fair on Sept 19 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, with the total contract amount reaching 92 billion yuan ($12.99 billion).

The signed projects involve many of the province's cities, including Qingdao, Jinan, Tai'an, Yantai, and Rizhao.

Greenland, a Shanghai-based real estate investment management giant, and Hanover-based Deutsche Messe, a globally leading producer of capital goods trade fairs, teamed up to operate the exhibition center of Greenland International Expo City in Jinan, involving a contract value of 60 billion yuan.

The Qingdao Dongfang Town project was signed as well. Located in the Qingdao West Coast New Area, the project is designed with an area of more than 800 mu (53.33 hectares).

With a total investment of 6 billion yuan, the project involves building a cultural tourism complex that includes characteristic homestays, business streets, leisure and entertainment squares, food plazas, as well as other facilities supporting tourism experiences.

The Zibo Pujiazhuang Ancient Village Project is located in Zichuan district of Zibo, the hometown of Pu Songling, a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) writer that is best known as the author of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (Liaozhai Zhiyi), which is considered a Chinese literature classic and the "No. 1 book about vixen spirits and ghosts."

The project will be positioned as the "hometown of Pu family and a unique site of Liaozhai," creating a destination that integrates traditional culture with modern recreation facilities.

As one of the country's only two large-scale cultural exhibitions certified by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, this year's Shandong International Cultural Industries Fair boasted its largest exhibition area yet, while also smashing its record for most exhibitors.

More than 365 international exhibitors from 51 countries, including Germany, Britain, Japan, South Korea, Russia, and Hungary, are attending it.

A total of 10 key cultural industry projects are signed at the eighth Shandong International Cultural Industries Fair on Sept 19 in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo/iqilu.com]

Visitors are attracted by exhibits from Japan during the eighth Shandong International Cultural Industries Fair. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A foreign exhibitor takes selfies with local students during the eighth Shandong International Cultural Industries Fair. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]