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 Chinese styles

It is widely acknowledged that China's own cartoons should promote themselves on the world stage and in the local market as well, which means the special characteristics of Chinese cartoons need to be drawn upon for their survival and future development. Some people have proposed that Chinese cartoonists should return to their traditional roots in search of inspiration.

Since in China cartoons are conceived as individual creations, the characteristics of Chinese cartoons should first be traced to the specific personalities of Chinese cartoonists.

China's stable of cartoonists is mostly in the 20-25-age range. These cartoonists love art and have witnessed its fast development throughout the 1990s and into the new century. However, they lack sophisticated powers of observation and description and also -- most importantly -- the mature personalities that are necessary for free imagination as well as the character formation of Chinese cartoons.

Actually, a true cartoonist should not only possess solid drawing skills but also be a qualified screenwriter and film director. In addition, knowledge of many other fields is of great significance for the ideas underlying successful cartoon stories.

In this respect, the cartoonists ofTaiwanProvince and theHong KongSpecial Administrative Region have shown special talents and become popular nationwide, with their creative perspectives, distinctive styles, and sensitive emotions.

Cai Zhizhong, a cartoonist from Taiwan, is well known for his cartoons explaining traditional ideas from ancient books from a modern perspective.

Zhu Deyong has invented a classical form of cartoon, consisting of four serial pictures, expressing humorous ideas about love affairs and marriages in modern cities.

Jimmy Liao, another brilliant cartoonist from Taiwan, has created a new style that transforms his pictures into a refreshing and comfortable language.

Besides individual style, professional packaging, publication, and planning also add to the cartoonists' success.

As the cartoon industry is becoming a mature one in China, many cartoon products, ironically, are not allowed in schools and are often regarded as obstacles to children's studies by their teachers and parents. No matter how modern cartoons are conceived: as a kind of culture or entertainment, fashion or custom, Chinese youths and children are in urgent need of their own original cartoons, with an independent cultural identity.