Jane Lai

    THE launch of a high-tech production platform opened an ICIF subvenue at the Shenzhen Yijing National Cartoon & Animation Industry Base in Luohu District on Thursday.

    Song Qihui, an official with the Ministry of Culture, Lu Ruifeng, Shenzhen vice mayor and Chen Juncong, editor-in-chief of the Shenzhen Media Group, attended the opening ceremony.

    The high-tech production platform will focus on the development of cartoons and Internet games. It will also help the base exchange data and collaborate with Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas cartoon and animation enterprises.

    At the ceremony, visitors were attracted to cartoon-making software and films produced by the base, including “Mini State” and “Urban Love.”

    Ma Leshan, who is known for creating models of the popular comic character Snoopy, displayed some models at the exhibition hall, attracting throngs of visitors.

    “I am glad to see the Shenzhen city government shows great support for the industry and I believe this will help domestic animation makers to catch up with their Western counterparts,” Ma said in an interview with the Shenzhen Daily yesterday.

    “Young producers have more creative ideas and experienced producers know more about the markets, so they should have a common platform to work together,” Ma added.