The 2022 FIAP World Photographers Conference opens in Lishui on Nov 17. [Photo/Lishui Daily]

There were glittering lights and fancy cameras aplenty as the 2022 FIAP World Photographers Conference opened in Lishui city – in East China's Zhejiang province on Nov 17 – offering an extraordinary visual extravaganza to photography lovers from across the world.

It's the first time the city and the Luxembourg-based International Federation of Photographic Art, or FIAP, are jointly holding the world event – seen as a milestone for Lishui's ambitions to become a top international photography venue.

At the opening ceremony the Lishui FIAP Exhibition Center was unveiled. After the completion of the  center, five international photography exhibitions will be held there every year to promote the exchange and development of global photography culture.

The Lishui FIAP Exhibition Center is unveiled. [Photo/Lishui Daily]

The China Photography Annual Ranking List was also released at the ceremony. The list has been released nine times so far. It represents the highest professional standards and best development trends in China's photography sector and is also said to play a positive academic role in the overall exploration and practice of Chinese photography.

In addition, the International Photography Lishui List was released. It aims to commend and encourage outstanding artists who have made important contributions to the development of world photography. Every two years, three outstanding photographic artists will be selected for the list and each will be awarded creative funds of 1 million yuan ($140,412.96).

The International Photography Lishui List is released. [Photo/Lishui Daily]

Furthermore, the Lishui Declaration was issued at the ceremony. The declaration proposed that photographers all over the world join forces to expand photography practices, continue to encourage new forces to participate in the global photography industry and jointly promote the development of world photography.

Sideline activities and exhibitions at the FIAP world conference will be held in the following month.