Marco Alemán, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), visited Liwan District on June 27, aiming to gain insight into the district’s efforts in intangible cultural heritage and intellectual property protection.

Macro explored Lingnan’s intangible cultural heritage at the historical blocks of Yongqing Fang and learned about the history of Cantonese opera at the Cantonese Opera Art Museum.

Marco visits Yongqing Fang.

Liwan District launched a copyright trading platform for intangible cultural heritage in September 2022. 35 intangible cultural masters had entered the platform in such fields as Cantonese embroidery, Cantonese porcelain, and jade carving.

“Artists display their artworks on the platform. People will pick and purchase copyrighted artworks. The platform attracts brands to cooperate with intangible cultural masters and jointly launch design projects. Zhai Huiling, Guangdong’s inheritor of Cantonese porcelain, cooperated with Dim Dou Duk to make a co-branded moon cake, which became one of the best sellers during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2022,” Liwan’s government officer introduced.

“The copyright of each artwork can only be sold once until it is licensed by the platform. Then it would be allowed for trading. Artists can seek potential buyers for their artworks while improving the influence of intangible cultural heritage through this platform,” she added.

Marco visits the Cantonese Opera Art Museum.

Marco said that he is impressed by the charm of Liwan’s historical culture. “Liwan’s practices in protecting intangible cultural heritage are referable. I have learned new ideas for intangible cultural heritage protection with IPR through this visit,” he said.  

Liwan District gifts Marco an “IP Lion” as a souvenir.