An expo featuring both animated work and the protection of intellectual property rights in that sector has ended in the southern city of Dongguan. The five day event drew 450 thousand visitors, and contracts worth 8 billion yuan.

Creativity was the theme of the event. About 400 domestic firms attended the expo, bringing together a whole range of creations.

About half a year ago, a cartoon festival held in east China's Hangzhou city saw the signing of contracts worth 6 billion yuan. But a new record was set by the 8 billion yuan inked this time at Dongguan. Last year saw more than 160 thousand minutes of animation being produced in the country, to a warm reception from many viewers.

One audience said "I have found many high-quality pieces of work made here in the country. In the past, we could only watch those made in other countries."

Rapid growth in the animation sector has promoted expansion in related industries. Toy, clothing, and stationery makers are all drawing a healthy profit from making new products with animation characters as their main themes.

And it's good news for Chinese toy factories who've seen demand from overseas shrink amidst a global financial crisis. Many factories are seeking new channels, such as tie-ups with domestic animation firms.

Dongguan has become a hub for products based on cartoon and animation. Many local firms have transformed themselves from subcontractors to designers, and are gaining more experience in exploring the market, and protecting their intellectual property rights.

One exhibitor said "For this toy, we've made sure we have registered intellectual property rights all over the world. We don't want anyone else to copy our designs."

At the expo, more than 100 trade deals were signed concerning intellectual property rights. A new cartoon and animation TV channel was also inaugurated, the fourth of its kind in China to have access to satellite broadcast.