PITO Article

On the afternoon of 18 November 2025, the inauguration ceremony of the “Chaozhou (UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy) Greater Bay Area Urban Reception Center” was successfully held at the Gongmei Port International Digital Innovation Center, located in the core business district of Guangzhou, Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

Attending the ceremony were Wang Wensen, Chairman of the CPPCC Chaozhou Committee and President of the Chaozhou Public Diplomacy Association; Wang Hongjian, Level-II Inspector of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee; Hua Honglin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of Guangdong Light Industry Holdings Group; Jiang Fan, Director of the Chaozhou Overseas Chinese Affairs Office; Wang Fujun, Standing Committee Member of Haizhu District Committee, among other guests and leaders.

The establishment of this reception center aims to create an integrated platform combining cultural experience, international exchange, industrial collaboration, and innovation incubation, opening a new pathway for Chaozhou brands and industries to connect with the Greater Bay Area and the world.

At the ceremony, four plaques were unveiled:

• “Chaozhou (UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy) Greater Bay Area Urban Reception Center”
• “Office of Members of the CPPCC Chaozhou Committee”
• “Institute of Culinary and Tableware Art, Hanshan Normal University”
• “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Incubation Base for Overseas Chinese Youth”

Their unveiling marks the official launch of this strategic hub.

Four Strategic Pillars: Building an Integrated Platform

The newly established Reception Center has been entrusted with four core strategic functions, designed to form a self-sustaining and dynamic development ecosystem.

1. A “Global Chaozhou Cultural Reception Center”

Positioned as an international-standard cultural and business exchange center, the hall integrates immersive intangible cultural heritage experiences with one-stop services for exhibitions, showcases, promotion, and dining.

Moving forward, it will promote the integration of intangible cultural heritage and IP development, expanding city IP collaborations in ceramics and “Creative Collectible Art” , bringing traditional Chaozhou craftsmanship into contemporary life with a younger and trendier expression.

2. A Full-Chain Empowerment Platform for the “Chaozhou Gastronomy Industry”

The hall adopts a forward-looking model driven by physical industry + smart technology + cultural exchange.

Leveraging resources from universities and industry experts, the platform aims to build a complete gastronomic ecosystem—from tableware and kitchenware, supply chains, culinary R&D, and smart kitchen solutions to branding and channel development—providing one-stop solutions and driving innovation in Chao-style lifestyle.

This incubation base will offer a comprehensive service system, covering entrepreneurial guidance, policy interpretation, supply-chain integration, and resource matchmaking. Supported by the global network of young Chaozhou overseas communities, the base aims to foster an exceptional entrepreneurial environment and inject continuous youthful momentum into the global promotion of Chaozhou culture.

4. A Key Venue for International Cultural Exchange

Using gastronomy as a bridge and overseas Chinese communities as connectors, the reception hall serves as an open and borderless communication platform.

By hosting masterclasses, intangible cultural heritage demonstrations, and culinary experience events with cultural masters and heritage bearers from China and abroad, the venue will become an international stage for cultural presentation, mutual learning among civilizations, and enhanced cultural influence.

During the event, a traditional Lingnan lion eye-dotting ceremony brought auspicious meaning to the occasion. Guests then toured the interior of the reception center, experiencing intangible cultural heritage crafts, Chaozhou kungfu tea ceremonies, and the creative culinary fusion of Chaozhou cuisine with Italian pizza—immersing themselves in both the cultural depth and cross-disciplinary vitality of Chaozhou.

New Era

New Pattern

New Opportunities

In the future, let’s move forward hand in hand!