Hangzhou aims to become a force in China's animation industry. It's attracting talent, rewarding businesses and opening a museum.

There is a saying that the most imaginative careers should blossom in the most scenic places. This applies to Hangzhou where creative minds are hard at work.

The goals: turn Hangzhou into a major center for China's revitalized animation industry and come up with a widely recognizable animation figure.

A major step in that direction is to set up the China Animation Museum where the development of Chinese animation will be displayed.

Several famous cartoon artists, such as Cai Zhizhong and Zhu Deyong, have already settled in the city and opened studios.

Though Hangzhou aims to become a pioneer in China's animation industry, the competition to be No. 1 is fierce.

For example, Disneyland will go to Shanghai. There's an animation theme park in Wuhu in Anhui Province and plans for a big animation park in Beijing.

"Although we have a China International Animation Festival now, some other animation festivals really pose a challenge to us," says Ye Ming, deputy Party secretary of the Hangzhou government.

The opening of the animation museum is a major step forward, part of new municipal strategies and fund-raising to support the animation industry.

"We still haven't produced a widely known cartoon image, which will be the first task for those involved in the industry, and also we really need to improve our capacity in marketing and promotion," Ye says.

The city will also open an animation creativity center that will invite renowned experts, writers and cartoonists from China and abroad to brainstorming sessions twice a year.

An animation talent database will also be established in an effort to attract cartoon artists and savvy marketers as new residents. Some professionals will receive their own rent-free apartments or be sent abroad for study in animation.

The government will also give cash incentives to animation companies that have contributed to the industry in Hangzhou.

To appeal to enthusiasts, the city also plans to publish a national animation magazine, a Website and a TV channel. Preparations are underway.

Editor: Linda

Source: Shanghai Daily