China exported $88.19 billion worth of cultural products in 2017, up 12.4% year on year, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said at a news conference on Feb. 8.

The import of cultural products stood at $8.93 billion, down 7.6%. The surplus expanded by 15.2% compared with a year earlier, reaching $79.26 billion.

Over the last year, the country has seen the structure of its cultural exports optimize. The export of high value-added entertainment products, as well as radio, TV, and film equipment, all increased by 19.4% year on year, accounting for 34.5% of the total.

The US, Hong Kong SAR, Netherland, the UK, and Japan were the top five markets of China’s cultural imports and exports, accounting for 55.9% of the total value.

The exchange of cultural products between China and Belt and Road countries grew by 18.5% to $17.62 billion in 2017, accounting for 18.1% of the total export-import volume.