Hangzhou Normal University International Animation College was officially opened yesterday, offering courses in education animation, sound design and animation creation.

Eight other universities and colleges in Hangzhou also offer courses related to animation. However, there is a dire shortage of top and middle rank creative and marketing talent, which has become a hurdle inhibiting the growth of Hangzhou's animation industry, said a culture-related department.

Hangzhou's comics, animation and games have witnessed both quantitative and qualitative growth over recent years. Hangzhou-related animations such as Wonder Boy with Divine Eyes, Magic Tiger with Divine Eyes, Gold-Haired Monkey's Journey to the Kingdom of Animals, The Mad Monk, Anna's Story, Little Anti-Japanese Aggression Soldiers and Long March of Little Red Army Soldiers are all shown on CCTV and are popular throughout the country.

In addition, animated movies, comics and animated games produced in Hangzhou have already found their way onto the international market.

Original animated products created by Hangzhou companies such as Dongfang Guolong, Prodigious Drawing Co. and Geora Technology Corp have entered the mainstream markets in over 20 countries and regions.

By Li Hui