Two Chinese cities selected to join UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Chaozhou and Chongqing, in southern China, have been selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) of Gastronomy and of Design, respectively.
 
 
According to China Daily, the two cities were acknowledged “for their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies and displaying innovative practices in human-centered urban planning.”

UNESCO stated in a press release that 53 other regions around the globe joined the UCCN.

According to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, these cities in the Creative Cities Network are “leading the way when it comes to enhancing access to culture and galvanizing the power of creativity for urban resilience and development.”

They play a significant role in the face of evolving threats such as climate change, rising inequality, and rapid urbanization.

By 2050, 68 percent of the world’s population will live in urban areas, UNESCO stated.

Other UNESCO categories include Creative Cities of music, film, literature, digital culture, media, crafts, and folk arts.