Forum to Address Green, Digital, Coordinated Development

A symposium scheduled for November 13-14 will address the green, digital and coordinated development of printing firms in 11 provinces and municipalities along the Yangtze River.

Given the complexity of Chinese characters, font generation has always been a labor-intensive and time-consuming process requiring painstaking and polished workmanship.

The traditional industry is facing multiple challenges, in terms of green and digital transformation, as well as dealing with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) issues.

"When we talk about green transformation, we are not just talking about green end-products, such as green textbooks, but more about the environmental compliance in the whole supply chain, particularly the ESG standards in the printing sector, with a view to fostering the healthy and sustainable development of the whole business," said Shen Jianyi, director of the Shanghai Printing Trade Association.

Around 150 representatives from regional associations, printing firms, award-winning businesses, and the specialized community will attend the event.

During the meeting, 38 firms from 10 participating provinces and municipalities will sign a joint declaration to establish an association with the stated goal of promoting printing culture as a means of carrying forward the Chinese culture and national spirit.

As a major side event, the Shanghai-style Paper Printing Art Exhibition, running from November 12 to December 12, will display cutting-edge printing products from the city with the goal of explaining the infinite potential of paper as a cultural carrier in the modern context.

The exhibition will be held on the first floor of Shanghai Fonts Gallery (No. 60, Lane 1209, Xinzha Road), paying a tribute to Shanghai's pioneering position in modern times, highlighting the city's contribution to designing the four classic typefaces in the 1960s.