Recently, “Power of Performance” - Celebration of the entry into force of the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances was held in Beijing. The event was sponsored by the Publicity Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and organized by Beijing Media Network. In the context of regular epidemic prevention and control, cloud recording was adopted for the event. Liang Yanshun, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Du Feijin, Standing Committee member and Director General of the Publicity Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, attended the recording and delivered a speech respectively. Moreover, Francis Gurry, Director General of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) , sent a video message.

Liang Yanshun pointed out in his speech that the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, concluded at the WIPO Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances which took place in Beijing in June 2012, is the first international intellectual property treaty named after a Chinese city, that is Beijing the capital city, since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The successful organization of the Diplomatic Conference reflected the international community’s full recognition of China’s achievements in copyright work in recent years. Du Feijin said in his speech that performances were of great significance to the dissemination of works and the preservation of culture. The Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances has effectively recognized and comprehensively protected the performers’ rights through international legislation, and naming the treaty after Beijing would have vital and far-reaching significance for establishing the good image of Beijing the capital city as the model in terms of intellectual property and facilitating the construction of Beijing as the national cultural center.

The event themed on “Power of Performance” aimed to “celebrate the entry into force of the treaty and present the image of Beijing the capital city”. With a grand ceremony and rich program forms, it reviewed the treaty’s signing process and the Chinese government’s efforts to promote the entry into force of the treaty and fully demonstrated to the world the significance of the treaty as a milestone and Beijing’s positive image on copyright protection. The event consisted of six parts, namely, “This is Beijing”, “Birth”, “Status”, “Influence”, “Protection” and “Sharing -- the Community of a Shared Future for Mankind”, which were presented through short documentary videos, topic interviews, expert interpretation, cultural programs, etc. The whole event highlighted originality with a focus on its international effect, inviting influential singers, dancers, dramatists, folk musicians, acrobats and actors from Europe, Africa and other treaty contracting countries for diverse celebration performances. At the event, original works including the “Four-string Tap-tap” performed by the famous ball acrobat Cao Kai and the young Ruan (a plucked stringed instrument) performer Li Yuhan and the “Shadow” performed by Longyun Martial Arts Group of JC Stunt Team had their debut. There were also excellent performances by famous singers Ping An, Guo Feng, Zhang Yingxi and Yao Hong, Peking Opera master Hu Wenge and Erhu performing artist Chen Jun. In addition, the event received video messages from performers from around the world congratulating the entry into force of the treaty. Meanwhile, the themed sculpture in commemoration of the treaty designed by the well-known sculptor Yuan Xikun was officially unveiled at the event.

The Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances entered into force on 28 April, 2020. Up to now, 34 countries have ratified or acceded to the treaty. The treaty will further arouse the creative enthusiasm of performers, push forward the wide spread of their works and contribute to the healthy development of the cultural industry.

Source: China IP Today