The 5th China International Gallery Exposition (CIGE 2008) took place at the China World Trade Centre Exhibition Hall in Beijing from April 25 to 28, 2008.

Entering the 21st century, and driven by a process of grand reform and internationalization, China has made remarkable achievements in its economic growth in the short period of two decades and emerged as a global force. China is increasing its economic and cultural exchanges with all the countries of the world, expecting to witness a period of rapid industrialization over the next 15 years. Host city for the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing is the cultural and political center of China. Especially in recent years, the art market in the Chinese capital has expanded rapidly with growing interests from abroad and more importantly, with strong growth in the domestic market. New art centers and communities have been growing everywhere in the city, bringing vitality and creativity to areas that used to be peripheral and now house a unique concentration of representative galleries from China as well as USA, UK, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Italy, Korea...

GALLERY EXHIBITION

In 2004, the China International Gallery Exposition（CIGE) was launched in Beijing, on the purpose of "Internationalism, Professionalism and Futurism", exhibiting galleries. After 4 years, CIGE is considered as the most international art fair in China and the most established art fair in Asia. In 2008 the record number of the galleries' applications for CIGE has reached over 300. After a rigorous selection process, CIGE 2008 showcased 81 galleries including 33 newcomers from 22 countries and regions such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Philippine, Thailand, Malaysia, Israel, India, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, England, Italy, America, Denmark. CIGE 2008 is focusing on emerging art areas as Southeast Asia, Turkey, Russia…. The proportion of galleries who from out of China mainland is 80 percent, which has increased 20% in comparison with last edition; the scale of Asian galleries is 70 percent. Moreover, CIGE 2008 devotes a special attention to presenting the most interesting works of contemporary art now, welcoming and encouraging any form of art expression, including photography, video, painting, sculptures, mixed media, installations, prints, digital and net art, textile, design...

(China.org.cn December 29, 2008)