BJDW 2014 launches Netherlands section

Beijing, May 29 (People's Daily Online) – Beijing Design Week (BJDW) launched a new Netherlands section in Beijing on May 28, 2014. BJDW and its Dutch partners will focus on the quest for sustainable urbanization – a key theme of the Netherlands' creative industries endeavors in China.

Aart Jacobi, Dutch Ambassador to China, praised fruitful mutual cooperation over the past three years and emphasized the need for that collaboration: "Creative output is a crucial reflection of our societies and cooperation allows us to learn from one another and gain a deeper mutual understanding. Through enhancing mutual understanding, cooperation in the creative industries can also foster more economic and political cooperation."

Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde introduced his SMOG project at the launch ceremony. The project uses an electronic vacuum cleaner which can remove smog particles from urban skies to create the cleanest, smog-free park.

Roosegaarde and his team of experts are developing safe and patented ion technology to create the cleanest park in Beijing, where people can breathe, share ideas, and experience clean air again. As a tangible souvenir, he has created Smog Rings of compressed smog particles. Each high-end ring supports the cleaning of 1000m3 of polluted air.

Roosegaarde was offered a certificate as "Designer of the Year" at 2014 Beijing Design Week Dutch Section.

Zeng Hui, deputy director of Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee, signed MOUs with Ambassador Jacobi and Roosegaarde for their future cooperation.

Other projects starting in 2014 aim to touch on the issues of how to create successful transport developments, how to integrate agriculture into the city, and how to develop viable creative clusters to nurture the city's innovative power. Supporting these themes are plans for an "Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam" (AFFR) at BJDW, which aims to cover the breadth of these topics in a special film program with workshops at Taikooli – part of BJDW's brand new film section.