A poster promoting the Online Cartoon, Animation and Games Industrial Trade Fair, held from April 28 to May 5, is seen on a building in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The Online Cartoon, Animation and Games Industrial Trade Fair opened in Hangzhou on April 28 and will run until May 5.

The fair was a prelude to the 16th China International Cartoon Animation Festival, which is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou from late September to early October.

The online event aims to provide a platform for animation and game companies and interested individuals to conduct exchange and trade.

Companies taking part in the online fair can receive services such as one-on-one business negotiations, IP authorization, and launching of outsourcing projects.

As of now, more than 1,500 cartoon and game companies have signed up for the various activities offered at the fair.

Companies from 15 countries including the United States, Canada, the UK and South Korea have reached trade deals at the fair.

The fair also set up a visual exhibition area for companies to display their IP products. Nearly 100 companies from China and abroad took part in the online exhibition, displaying hundreds of products.

The fair included a session for Hangzhou cartoon companies to release their new projects. The projects demonstrated how 5G and artificial intelligence technologies empower the animation industry.

During the fair, competitions were launched as part of the China International Cartoon Animation Festival, including the "Golden Monkey King Awards” competition. 

In partnership with digital television platforms, the fair will display a number of excellent cartoons. Those interested can watch them at home for free.

Hangzhou holds China's first Online Cartoon, Animation and Games Industrial Trade Fair from April 28 to May 5. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.com.cn]