MORE than 15 prominent Hong Kong cartoon and animation companies confirmed their participation at the Second China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF), the fair’s organizers said Thursday.

    The companies include Jade Dynasty Group, Hong2work Production House, Microsoft (Hong Kong), Toys’R’us (Hong Kong) and Dawoo Technology (Hong Kong).

    A spokeswoman surnamed Lam representing Jade Dynasty Group, a well-known Hong Kong-based cartoon company, said it was the company’s first visit to the fair. “We want to bring our successful experience in developing the Hong Kong market to the mainland,” said Lam.

    The company began working with China Central Television, China’s largest online game company Shanda Interactive Entertainment Ltd., and Shanghai Media Group in 2004.

    The ICIF also updated the schedule for the cartoon and animation exhibition between May 18 and 21, and published the updated version on its Web site www.cnicif.com. The scheduled events include three cartoon exhibitions with different themes, a drawing competition, a singing contest, a short video show, a costume drama, forums, an auction, a book signing ceremony and other interactive activities.

    Famed artists in the cartoon and animation industries from the mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea will attend the fair and showcase their latest work.

    Shenzhen’s first cartoon company started business in 1985 and the city was named as one of the national industry bases for cartoon and animation last year.