CATDOLL: "Thailand-China Animation Business Fair" kicks off the Sino-Thai creative industry cooperation

Thailand's creative industry has always been unique in Asia due to its inclusive, open and active culture. In recent years, Thailand's animation and game industry has been booming, with impressive production levels and creativity, and the industry has gradually stepped onto the international stage.

On the morning of July 7, 2015, the "Thai-China Animation Business Fair" hosted by the International Trade Promotion Department of the Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Commercial Office of the Royal Thai Embassy in China, and the Commercial Office of the Royal Thai Consulate General in Shanghai was grandly held at the Beijing Millennium Hotel. Mr. You Muxian, Commercial Minister of the Royal Thai Embassy in China, Mr. Wu Yongquan, Minister Counselor of the Investment Promotion Committee of the Royal Thai Embassy in China, Ms. Zhuang Nijia, Commercial Consul of the Royal Thai Consulate General in Shanghai, and Mr. Nitip Songsamman, President of the Thai Animation and Computer Graphics Association, attended the meeting.

In addition to the above-mentioned institutions, representatives from Zhongguancun Digital Content Industry Association/Zhongguancun DC Industry Alliance, China Education Television, Beijing Film and Television Animation Association, Beijing Cultural and Creative Industry Promotion Center, China Television Interactive and China Film Co., Ltd. as well as relevant industry enterprises in China and Thailand were also invited to attend the meeting.

Ms. Zhuang Nijia, Commercial Consul of the Royal Thai Consulate General in Shanghai, delivered a welcome speech for the conference. Consul Zhuang Nijia said that now the digital content industry can and has penetrated into all walks of life, becoming a "creative economy" industry valued by countries around the world. China and Thailand have also been committed to promoting the development of the digital content industry. As far as Thailand is concerned, the GDP of the digital content industry last year was about US$500 million, accounting for 0.27% of the global digital content industry GDP, and is expected to increase by 10-15% annually. She believes that Thailand's large reserve of digital content talents, sophisticated and mature professional technology, and highly competitive labor costs will become favorable factors to support the development of the digital content industry.

Next, Mr. You Muxian, Commercial Counselor of the Royal Thai Embassy in China, delivered an opening speech for the conference. Mr. You Muxian sincerely hoped that this event would bring a good opportunity for communication and interaction to the companies of both sides, and become a good start for further cooperation between the two sides in the future, and wished the event a complete success.

After the opening ceremony, the main guests from both China and Thailand made important speeches on the past, current situation and future cooperation and development of the digital content industry of the two countries.

In the afternoon, representatives of enterprises from both countries conducted in-depth discussions and further contacts on the development prospects of the digital content industry and specific cooperation projects. This meeting was not only completed according to the established agenda, but also received high recognition and appreciation from all parties. The meeting ended smoothly at 6 pm.

The "Thai-China Animation Business Fair" aims to provide an opportunity for digital content industry companies in the two countries to exchange ideas and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. This fair is just the beginning of further cooperation between the two countries in the digital content industry. It is reported that after the meeting, the Thai business delegation will go to Shanghai to participate in the 11th China International Animation and Game Expo (Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, 2015/7/9-2015/7/13) for 5 days. The activities include the display of excellent Thai animation content, the promotion of Thai animation works, and the exchange of Chinese and Thai animation companies. On the first day of CCG, the Thai Consulate in Shanghai will hold the opening ceremony of the Thai animation exhibition area on site to show Thailand's level in the creative industry and animation field. It will also take this opportunity to let Thai works compete with works from all over the world.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, the Thai Ministry of Commerce hopes that through this expo, the two countries will further deepen cooperation in the animation and digital content industry, exchange resources, interact in a positive manner, and promote the development of the animation and gaming industries in both countries.