Shanghai has gradually become one of the country’s cultural and artistic centres. Cultural and artistic pursuits are flourishing. The city has encouraged creation and production of cultured art and outstanding performances. In 1999, the city staged a total of 10,4000 performances attracting audiences of over 5 million. The city also successfully held a series of large-scale cultural activities such as the inaugural China, Shanghai International Art Festival in the year, the Fourth Shanghai International Film Festival and the first international program trade festival.