China's first forum on painting and calligraphy industry began Friday in the scenic city of Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province.

More than 130 painters and calligraphers are attending the forum aimed at developing a strategy for the development and management of China's painting and calligraphy.

Gao Zhanxiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a former vice minister of culture, said at the meeting that the cultural industry is a current hotspot.

Gao suggested a national trade association should be set up to help improve the management of the painting and calligraphy industry and to lead it into a prosperous future, Gao said.

Gao also said that, for the future, it is important to develop the industry of painting and calligraphy in accordance with international standards and eventually make the painting arts globally competitive.

The three-day forum is jointly sponsored by a number of fine art organizations and publications. Exhibitions of paintings are being held in Hanghzhou at the same time.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2003)