World Eco-Design Organization Art Committee Co-Hosts Awards Ceremony for the 7th Huang Gongwang-Themed Cross-Strait Cultural & Creative Design Competition and Cross-Strait Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Practice Camp

On July 16, the awards ceremony for the 7th Huang Gongwang-Themed Cross-Strait Cultural & Creative Design Competition, co-hosted by the Art Committee of the World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO), was held in Changshu alongside the Cross-Strait Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Practice Camp. During the event, the 8th Huang Gongwang-Themed Cross-Strait Cultural & Creative Design Competition was officially launched. As one of the flagship events of the 6th Cross-Strait Youth Cultural Month, the program brought together more than 250 participants, including university professors from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, representatives from the cultural and creative industries, young designers, and award-winning contestants. Inspired by the artistic legacy of renowned Yuan Dynasty painter Huang Gongwang, the event served as a dynamic platform for creative competition, industry collaboration, and cultural exchange, highlighting the integration of design innovation, traditional craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial development.

Event Venue

The event was co-hosted by the Art Committee of the World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO), the Jiangsu Province Industrial Design Association, the Changshu Dongfang Rosewood Furniture Art Museum, the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Association, Taiwan, the Cultural and Creative Industries Branch of the Chamber of Private Cultural Relics and Artifacts, All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and the Changshu Huang Gongwang Culture Research Association, with the support of more than 50 universities and colleges from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Prof. He Xiaoyou, Director of the Art Committee of the World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO), said in his address: This youth cultural exchange platform spanning both sides of the Taiwan Strait has become a flagship program. Through each thoughtfully crafted competition entry submitted by young participants from across the Strait, we have truly felt the younger generation's heartfelt appreciation for the best of traditional Chinese culture. At the same time, we have witnessed their diverse artistic perspectives, imaginative ideas, and creative design capabilities, all of which showcase the youthful spirit with which young people are carrying forward our shared cultural heritage through innovative forms of expression.

The Art Committee of the World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO) is dedicated to advancing innovation in eco-art and ecological design. Its core mission is to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility among designers and artists, inspiring them to embrace an ecological worldview and translate sustainable values into creative practice. Design is the philosophy, methodology, and practice of transforming the existing state of things into something better. As the future of the design profession continues to evolve, ecological design has emerged as one of its defining directions. It calls for a holistic approach that balances the relationships between people, objects, the natural environment, and the digital world. Guided by the principles of collaboration and the perspective of ecological art, ecological design seeks to minimize environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of products and creations, while contributing to a more inclusive, harmonious, and sustainable future for humanity.

By co-hosting this competition, the Art Committee of the World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO) hopes to further strengthen its collaboration with organizations including the Jiangsu Province Industrial Design Association, the Changshu Dongfang Rosewood Furniture Art Museum, and the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Association, Taiwan. Through the Cross-Strait Cultural & Creative Design Competition, the Committee aims to promote the sustainable development of the best of traditional Chinese culture.

Prof. He Xiaoyou Delivered a Speech

Prof. Cui Tianjian, Prof. Zhang Ming, Prof. Zhang Kai, and other members of the Art Committee of the World Eco-Design Organization (WEDO) also attended the event. Prof. Cui Tianjian moderated the forum session of the Cross-Strait Youth Innovation & Entrepreneurship Practice Camp. The forum featured keynote presentations by distinguished scholars and industry experts from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including: Prof. Fu Jiong, Director of the Design Trends Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Ethnic Design Language and Emerging Trends. Mr. Wang Jin, Chairman of the Modu Space Innovation Platform: Xin She Qu: Exploring Regional Cultural and Creative Micro-Incubation. Prof. Huang Chun-Chieh, Founder of Mu Zhi Hua Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Taiwan): Craft as a Sacred Calling: Reflections on Wood Design through Technique and Art. Prof. Zhao Zhiyong, Vice Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Shanghai Normal University: New Explorations in Design-Driven Social Innovation. Prof. Cheng Shun-Fu, Department of Product and Interior Design at Nanhua University (Taiwan): Creative Experiences in Designing Laminated Wooden Vases. Drawing on their diverse academic and professional backgrounds, the speakers explored new perspectives on cultural and creative design and examined its evolving role in contemporary society. Through a series of inspiring case studies, they demonstrated how Eastern aesthetics and elements of intangible cultural heritage can be thoughtfully integrated into modern product design, breathing new vitality into cultural and creative innovation.

Prof. Cui Tianjian moderated the forum

Prof. Zhang Ming was interviewed by a television station

Since its inaugural edition in 2016, the Huang Gongwang-Themed Cross-Strait Cultural & Creative Design Competition has been held for seven consecutive years, taking inspiration from the artistic legacy of Huang Gongwang, the foremost master of the Four Great Masters of the Yuan Dynasty. Over the years, the competition has grown into a well-recognized platform with steadily expanding influence. To date, the competition has attracted participation from nearly 400 universities and colleges across both sides of the Taiwan Strait. This year's edition introduced three new competition categories—Furniture Design, Office & Stationery Design, and Cultural & Creative Products—while also launching its first-ever AI-Powered Digital Creativity track. Reflecting the latest trends in digital cultural and creative industries, these new initiatives continue to expand the possibilities for reimagining and expressing traditional culture through innovative design.

Event Highlights

The event received extensive media coverage from leading national and regional media outlets, including CCTV, People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, Jiangsu Economic Daily, Toutiao, and Jiangsu Economy Online.

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