CHANGZHOU, Jiangsu Province: 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. 

That was the message at the 2006 China Changzhou International Animation and Cartoon Art Forum held here yesterday.

Taking part were government officials, experts and investors from China, the Republic of Korea, the United States, Italy, France, Canada and Japan.

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 a total annual revenue of US$75 billion.

"One of the major reasons for the present situation in China is the lack of funds," said Wang Hong, president of the Hunan Great Dreams Cartoon Media Co Ltd (HGDCM),  the largest animation and cartoon production firm in China.

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.

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