Quanzhou, China — 11 November. Newly designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Quanzhou has launched a coordinated planning process to strengthen its culinary ecosystem and promote cross-sector collaboration. At the 8th "Citong Food Salon,"representatives from government, academia, and the culinary community discussed pathways for implementing UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) objectives at the local level.

　　The discussion centred on the city's forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan for High-Quality Development of the Culinary Industry, which positions gastronomy as a catalyst for sustainable urban development, cultural vitality, and inclusive economic growth.

Participants from the culinary sector discussing pathways for upgrading Quanzhou's food industry.

　　Jian Guohong, Deputy Executive Director of the Gastronomy City Office, emphasised Quanzhou's commitment to the UCCN's principles: "Our goal is to transform the designation into long-term value—strengthening creative industries, enhancing supply chains, promoting responsible tourism, and contributing Quanzhou's experience to the global network."

　　Key stakeholders outlined strategies to:

　　document and safeguard intangible culinary heritage,

　　develop immersive gastronomy experience zones in historic urban areas,

　　promote culinary education and professional training,

　　support innovation among young chefs,

　　and expand international cooperation through cultural exchange platforms.

　　Digital inclusion and visitor accessibility were highlighted through the development of an official Quanzhou Food Map, which will provide culturally contextualised information on local dishes and culinary practices.

　　Participants also underscored the importance of integrating Song–Yuan era cultural aesthetics into modern dining environments, reinforcing Quanzhou's identity as a historic maritime hub and a contemporary creative city.

　　The salon reaffirmed Quanzhou's dedication to the UCCN's mission of creativity-driven development. The city aims to strengthen partnerships across the network, share best practices, and enhance the global visibility of Southern Fujian (Minnan) food culture.