China's cartoon industry is expected to see fast growth in the next few years with more policy support, investment and co-operation with other countries.

China's animation and cartoon sector experienced a golden age in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

However, for various reasons such as a lack of funds and professionals, the industry has lagged behind those in other countries. Its workers are now in a subcontractor situation for countries like the United States and Japan, world leaders in the industry. The two produce high-quality work and yield total annual revenue of US$75 billion.

One of the major reasons for the present situation in China is the lack of funds.

It has been reported that the financial input into animation in China is just one hundredth of that in the US. Though government funds are currently the main source of cash, private firms are being encouraged to invest in the sector. Three local companies have invested 10 million yuan (US$1.25 million) respectively in the creation and production of cartoons.

HGDCM has been working with the Changzhou Dinosaur Park on a 365-part serial called "The Adventures of Qi Qi and Ke Ke. It will start tonight on the children's channel of CCTV 7 and last for a year. It is about two dinosaurs, Qi Qi and Ke Ke.

Changzhou is seen as a pioneer of the Chinese animation industry.

Changzhou city government has mapped out a blueprint for the sector and set up an animation industry base in December 2004.

Since then, over 50 enterprises and companies have settled there and have already produced more than 100 cartoons.

The Asian Animation Round (AAR) was founded in April this year and includes companies from China, the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Source:佚名