Guangzhou's cartoon industry is projected to grow 45 percent annually to reach an output value of more than 18 billion yuan by 2010.

The figure will represent 5 percent of the city's gross domestic product, turning the southern metropolis into one of China's major animation and comic production hubs.

To realize the goal, the city government is seeking to further expand international cooperation and attract more talent to boost its cartoon industry.

"Guangzhou is expecting to further expand its cooperation with the neighboring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in developing the cartoon industry in the years ahead," said Fan Xu, director of the Guangzhou Municipal Press, Radio and TV Bureau.

Fan is also hoping more foreign cartoon, animation and comic companies will set up their production facilities, regional and China headquarters, and research and development centers in Guangzhou in the near future.

Fan believes the cartoon industry has a rosy future in Guangzhou, after the government introduced a series of preferential policies to support and develop the industry.

Meanwhile, the city government has set up a 150 million yuan per year cartoon industry development fund, beginning this year, to support the sector's development.

To spur the development of its cartoon industry, Guangzhou has also applied to hold the China (Guangzhou) International Cartoon Festival. If approved by the central government, the event will begin next year.

Guangzhou currently has more than 120 registered cartoon manufacturers, employing over 15,000 people. The city's cartoon industry production amounted to 10 billion yuan last year.

Guangzhou's cartoon products account for more than 50 percent of the country's cartoon market. The mainland's major cartoon theme parks, entertainment venues, shopping malls and department stores use the city's cartoon products.

(China Daily December 21, 2007)