EXCLUSIVE: A UK Prime Minister’s first trip to China in eight years could lead to a boon for the UK and Chinese animation industries.
Keir Starmer’s controversial trip to China this week was taken with a delegation of 60 companies including one sole representative of the UK TV and film industry, kids and teen content outfit 8 Lions, which is run by ex-Moonbug executive Jiella Esmat.
As part of the delegation, 8 Lions just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with state-owned China Media Group (CMG), “establishing a framework for dialogue and exploration around potential areas of cooperation, including Sino-British co-production models, international distribution, talent exchange and emerging media technologies,” the pair said.
Inspired by success stories like the BBC’s Octonauts, which has been acquired and remade successfully in China, the pair will explore future projects together. 8 Lions will dip into CMG’s domestic platforms and production capabilities, while CMG will take advantage of 8 Lions’ UK networks and how they can “support the international development of select Chinese-originated stories, subject to future agreements.”
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The pair will share knowledge on animation, content development and media innovation, they said.
CMG owns radio and TV stations including China Global Television Network and has deals in place with the likes of the International Olympics Committee.
8 Lions launched in 2024 with a view to creating IP while forging synergies between east and west. The MOU is therefore a “coming together of British creative excellence and China’s extraordinary cultural heritage,” said Esmat, who now heads to Japan with Starmer’s delegation. “Our desire is to create franchises capable of traveling across platforms, borders and cultures, inspiring kids worldwide and generating long-term commercial opportunities.”
Animation UK boss Kate O’Connor added: “UK animation is a globally competitive sector built on strong intellectual property, skilled talent and an outward-facing approach to partnership. Eight Lions’ leadership in this collaboration with CMG reflects the capability of UK companies to operate at international scale and to open new routes to audiences and creative exchange.”
8 Lions is one of 60 companies travelling with Starmer including huge congloms like PWC and Barclays, along with cultural outfits like the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The controversial first trip of a UK PM to China for nearly a decade has been generating headlines all week. Donald Trump said earlier it is “very dangerous” for the UK to be doing business with China – comments that were brushed off by Starmer – although the POTUS has agreed to visit Beijing in April and has invited President Xi Jinping for a state visit to the U.S. later this year. Earlier today, China lifted sanctions on six British lawmakers after talks between Starmer and Xi.