Hubei Province in central China is experimenting with film and food tie-ups, theming dining experiences and dishes around popular movies to spur consumer spending, benefit people's livelihoods, and stabilize employment.
The "Zhonghua Meishi Hui (China Cuisine Festival)" opened on Monday in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei, alongside a special "Dine like in the Movies" promotion featuring dishes inspired by hit films.
He Wenzheng, director of the film division under the Publicity Department of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) , said the local government is establishing a mechanism to allow restaurants and movie producers to work together to develop movie-themed dishes, banquets and restaurants.
"As well as holding film festivals and exchange activities, we will also launch a film-themed food corridor to boost consumer spending through immersive experiences. By leveraging multi-dimensional synergies, we aim to unlock the cultural value-added potential of cuisine and simultaneously explore new revenue streams for the film market and industry," explained He.
During the culinary festival, different chefs from 19 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions showcased their regional specialties.
"The 'Dine like in the Movies' activity is a deep integration of catering and culture, as well as an innovative development model. In recent years, our film industry has become increasingly prosperous. If movies and food can be integrated in a novel manner, the model can generate a 'one plus one is more than two' effect and promote a new hot spot for customers," said Yang Liu, president of the China Culinary Association.
Film, food tie-ups driving demand in Hubei
Israel has been ratcheting up the number of settlements and annexation of the occupied West Bank and transferring its own population into the territory which constitutes a breach of international law, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesman for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presented a report by the UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday that outlined the ongoing transfer of powers over the Occupied Palestinian Territory from the Israeli military to the government.
According to the report, based on research between Nov 1, 2023 and Oct 31, 2024, there had been a "significant" expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
"The Government of Israel has been increasing the number of settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, transferring its own population into the territory and unlawfully demolishing Palestinian homes. At the same time settler violence has increased with continued impunity," said Al-Kheetan.
The report also refers to plans to construct over 20,000 housing units in new or existing Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem alone, according to Israeli non-governmental organizations.
In East Jerusalem, 214 Palestinian properties and structures have been demolished. Over 10,300 units within existing Israeli settlements in the rest of the West Bank are in the pipeline, and an unprecedented 49 new Israeli outposts have been established, according to the report.
"The Israeli government is facilitating the advancement of settlements in the West Bank, and the steady integration of this occupied territory into the State of Israel, the report finds. Israel's settlement policy, its acts of annexation, and related discriminatory legislation and measures are in breach of international law, and violate Palestinians' right to self-determination," said Al-Kheetan.
The spokesman added that the transfer by Israel of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies amounts to a war crime.
Israel expands illegal settlements, annexation of West Bank: UN report
