China's cultural industries shift from 'Made in China' to 'Created in China'

China has transformed its cultural and creative industries in just five years, moving from a 'Made in China' to a 'Created in China' model, as noted by Hardy Yong Xiang in a 2014 report. The country has implemented massive financial, geopolitical, and economic operations for global positioning, including foreign investments, internal reforms (e.g., regulating the financial sector where ArtFunds played a central role), building one of the largest TV networks in Africa, acquiring hotels and leisure activities worldwide, and constructing museums, private museums, galleries, and art foundations at a surprising speed. Chinese cities have rapidly converted to cultural-driven models, especially waterfronts, while funding futuristic smart city and digital citizenship projects. The author, Stefano Monti, argues that Italy's 'Made in Italy' brand is not carved in stone and is increasingly less Italian, warning that without serious policies to valorize the entrepreneurial fabric, territory, and know-how, the brand will lose value. Italy currently enjoys a competitive advantage and strong international recognition despite poor promotion abroad, but China's cultural investments aim to achieve a 'position value' currently held only by Italy. Monti criticizes the Italian government for merely financing international trade fair participation rather than implementing serious valorization plans. The article appears in Artribune, an Italian art magazine.