China is to set up a national award for animation works, said an official with the country's Ministry of Culture at a press briefing for the 7th China International Comics and Games Expo (CCG Expo), which kicked off Thursday in Shanghai, Xinhuanet.com reports.

The CCG Expo is China's only large-scale animation and internet gaming show.

According to Liu Yuzhu, director general of the Department of Cultural Industries, the Ministry of Culture has obtained permission to add a national animation award to China Arts and Cultural Government Award. It will be in the same range with Wenhua Award and Qunxing Award.

The first batch of awards will recommend a series of outstanding original animation products such as comics, cartoon, comic software and derivative products. Writers, companies and research and publishing institutes will be honored as well, Liu added.

Research indicates that the total output value of China's animation industry is more than 47 billion yuan ($7 billion) in 2010, the report said.

(CRIENGLISH.com July 7, 2011)