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China, UK sign copro pact

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and UK producers’ body Pact are set to sign a landmark agreement today that aims to boost the number of coproductions between the two countries.

British production companies are in China this week to meet with the country’s major broadcasters and discuss ways in which they can collaborate in future.

This includes a memorandum of understanding that confirms an agreement to explore potential areas of collaboration between CCTV and Pact members, including commissions, coproductions and acquisitions.

The delegation to Xiamen in China includes 22 independent production companies, along with Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham. Senior representatives from the Chinese and UK governments are also set to attend.

The 100 Chinese delegates will include senior officials from the Chinese Ministry of Radio, Film and TV, Phoenix satellite TV, Beijing TV and CCTV.

In related news, Pact this week launched a campaign for a tax break for children’s television production in the UK.

The trade association believes the tax credits agreed by government in recent years for film, high-end television and animation have proved there is a case for a similar scheme in children’s TV.

John McVay, chief executive at Pact, said: “Our children’s television production is respected worldwide and we hope that ministers will agree that this is a special part of cultural heritage that is worth government’s support.”

Pact is an official sponsor of the 2014 Children’s Media Conference and this summer it will produce a session for the event in Sheffield.

A new tax relief scheme for children’s television could help boost coproduction opportunities, particularly with the US market, as well as improve TV exports, Pact says.

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