With major shifts taking place in the global economy and culture, there is a growing need to establish a new academic discipline that can better support the development of China’s cultural industry. Built around symbolic value, the cultural industry plays an important role in the knowledge economy and offers new opportunities for economic transformation. Strengthening the theoretical foundations of this field calls for greater use of cultural anthropology and semiotics, helping to address gaps in China’s academic system. Drawing on international experience and China’s own rich cultural traditions, the chapter calls for a cultural reawakening that can drive innovation, build a stronger cultural sector, and contribute to long-term economic growth.