TIANJIN, China's first state-level animation production base opened Friday in northern Tianjin Municipality, with a total investment of 4.5 billion yuan (690 million U.S. dollars).
More than 180 firms have signed up for animation production and related services at the 770,000-square-meter base, located in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.
Minister of Culture Cai Wu told a launching ceremony that animation production had been included into the country's overall development plan for culture industry during the 2011-2015 period.
He said over the past two years the culture ministry and the Tianjin municipal government had worked together to create a favorable environment for animation industry development in fund raising, financial and technology services.
The Tianjin base will be developed into a center for animation production, trading, exhibition, training, research and development and international exchanges, Cai said.
He said this was part of the country's efforts to boost homegrown animation industry.
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