The 9th Guangxi Cybermedia Summit & 4th China (Hezhou) New Media Summit opens in Hezhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Oct 16. [Photo by Li Dongzhou/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 9th Guangxi Cybermedia Summit & 4th China (Hezhou) New Media Summit opened in Hezhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Oct 16.

Over 450 new media experts, journalists, and representatives gathered in the city to discuss new media trends and offer support for Hezhou's brand promotion as a longevity resort.

Xie Shihong, vice director of the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Party Committee, indicated that network media plays an important role in disseminating modern information, rallying people, promoting economic development and improving social governance. He said that it has become the consensus of wider society to develop network media, and Guangxi should seize the opportunity to enrich people and revive the region.

Xie Shihong gives a speech at the summit. [Photo by Li Dongzhou/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to Hezhou's Mayor Lin Guan, the city has strategic advantages due to being in the backyard of Hong Kong and Macao, an asset which in part underpins the strategic plan for the autonomous region. New economy and business forms such as the ecological health industry, tourism, leisure, and health care for the aged are all developing vigorously. Hezhou has held a variety of forums and summits over the last three years which have further contributed to the publicity and popularity of the "Ecological Hezhou" brand.

Lin Guan delivers a speech at the summit. [Photo by Li Dongzhou/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At the summit's opening ceremony, which is also held for the Guangxi Hezhou Longevity Culture Festival, a 100-meter-long scroll painting, Xiaohe Ancient Path, was displayed for visitors. The history of the path can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), when it played a significant role in the early history of both the maritime and land Silk Road.

Hezhou's Deputy Mayor Zhu Dong stated that this painting takes the natural and cultural landscape as its inspiration while showing the profound historical background of Hezhou.

The Xiaohe Ancient Path scroll painting is displayed at the opening ceremony of the summit. [Photo by Li Dongzhou/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]