China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) launched a cultural and creative design competition and a series of exchange activities on Tuesday, with selected designs to be mass-produced for sale.

The competition encourages designers, industry professionals and students to draw on local heritage, said Leong Wai Man, head of Macao's Cultural Affairs Bureau. Participants will have access to licensed creative materials related to the SAR's World Heritage sites and intangible cultural heritage, and the government will select outstanding entries for production and sale, she said.

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At an exchange meeting following the ceremony, representatives of creative businesses from the Chinese mainland shared their experience in developing and commercializing cultural products and provided guidance for the competition.

The wider program also includes classroom sessions, an essay competition, and exchange visits to the mainland.

Kong Lun, an official with China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said the ministry is ready to help Macao develop distinctive cultural products and promote Chinese culture abroad.