Staying on the small screen Chinese domestic cartoon industry has made great progress in recent years and the industry has ambitions of breaking into the overseas market by learning from and collaborating with its foreign counterparts.

The Cartoon Network, an American channel, recently signed a contract with Zhejiang Zhongnan Cartoon Corporation Limited. The network agreed to buy the Chinese original cartoon series "Magic Wonderland". The head of the network says the deal was clinched, in part, due to the originality and creativity of the animation.

A scene from "Magic Wonderland" [CCTV.com]

In recent years Zhejiang Zhongnan Cartoon Corporation Limited has put great effort recruiting talented designers from across the country. It has also established research centers for developing home-made cartoons. The Group also collaborates with Zhejiang University and China Academy of Fine Arts to cultivate young cartoon talent. Now the Group boasts a team of over 500 cartoon professionals. Their new series of cartoons called "The Magical Town", is now in the final phase of post production.

Zhejiang Zhongnan Cartoon Corporation Limited was established in 2003. Over the past five years the firm has produced 14 animations covering a wide range of subjects. The fruits are remarkable with some of the cartoon works winning trophies at major competitions both at home and abroad.

The company has also launched a series of side-products to better promote their cartoons. These cover various fields including food, toys and children's accessories.

The firm is no stranger to international cartoon festivals. It seizes every opportunity to promote its domestic cartoon work at major TV and cartoon festivals around the world. And the efforts have paid off. Animations produced by the company are now seen in over 60 countries and regions around the globe.

(CCTV.com June 25, 2009)