On the evening of November 29, 2024, the inaugural China (Quanzhou) Silk Road Snack Festival and International Food Carnival officially opened in the bustling Quanzhou ancient city. This highly anticipated event, part of the 2024 "Chinese Food Festival" series, attracted a large crowd of food enthusiasts to explore the array of delicious snacks on display.

　　Quanzhou, with its rich and enduring food culture, boasts a strong foundation in the snack industry. Its culinary legacy has earned it accolades both nationally and internationally. The city's remarkable potential for food culture development made it the perfect location for hosting the first-ever Silk Road Snack Festival.

　　Over the years, Quanzhou has worked tirelessly to promote its culinary identity, creating initiatives such as the "Signature Dishes of Each County" campaign, which highlights the city's diverse food offerings. The city is also committed to advancing its culinary brands to the international stage and launching an ambitious new journey toward becoming a "City of Gastronomy" as recognized by UNESCO.

　　This year's event stands as the largest and most impactful food festival in Quanzhou in recent years. The opening ceremony attracted numerous visitors who were captivated by the diverse food stalls. Among the key highlights of the festival was the Sixth Snack Industry Development Conference, which took place earlier that morning at Quanzhou Hotel.

　　According to the latest data, from January to October 2024, China's restaurant industry generated a revenue of 4.44 trillion RMB. A noticeable shift toward localized, smaller-scale businesses with regional flavor characteristics has emerged, with snack culture standing out as a key growth sector within the industry. Snack foods are particularly appealing due to their unique local flavors, large number of vendors, and considerable market scale.

　　In recent years, Quanzhou has focused on the development of its snack industry by investing in the protection and innovation of traditional snack-making techniques. The city has supported time-honored brands and intangible cultural heritage snack products, leading to Quanzhou being recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as one of the "Top Ten Food Tourism Cities of China" in 2023. The city’s food culture is increasingly becoming a shining symbol of its identity.

　　The food and beverage industry has become one of Quanzhou's top nine industrial clusters, with an annual output value nearing 200 billion RMB. This vibrant sector has fostered an atmosphere of "food for the people, food that benefits the people, food that enriches the people."

　　Currently, Quanzhou is actively applying for the title of "City of Gastronomy" as part of UNESCO's Creative Cities of Gastronomy initiative. The city plans to establish the Quanzhou Food Industry Development Promotion Association and a Quanzhou Food Museum while increasing policy support to bolster the snack industry. This event is seen as a key opportunity to further enhance Quanzhou’s food culture, showcase the charm of "New Fujian Cuisine" and "The Best of Quanzhou," and accelerate the development of the snack industry through innovation and heritage preservation. These efforts are aligned with the city’s broader goal of becoming a "Sea Silk City" in the 21st century.

　　The conference also provided a platform for experts, scholars, and prominent snack business leaders to delve into the latest trends in the snack industry, sharing valuable insights on industry development, market dynamics, and case studies from renowned enterprises.