Representatives from China's animation industry, visiting Tokyo for a trade fair, expressed hope Thursday that an international "anime" animation trade show scheduled for this summer in Shanghai will help promote cultural exchanges with Japan.

Speaking at the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2006, which got under way Wednesday at Tokyo Big Sight, they also urged greater Japanese participation in the second China International Animation, Cartoon & Game Fair from June 29 to July 3.

Hu Jinhua, director of the China National Center for Developing the Animation, Cartoon & Game Industry, said the event is meant to provide opportunities for exchanges between Chinese and foreign companies and organizations exhibiting at the event.

"The Chinese government is currently devoting much attention to foster the animation and cartoon industry," Hu said in a presentation. "The second fair has gone through thorough planning, and it will have improvements from the first fair in scope and style."

France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong are among scheduled participants in the fair, and organizers are expecting about 150,000 visitors.

"The preparations are proceeding steadily, and we hope the people of Japan will proactively participate. Let us cooperate in creating a place for China and Japan to hold exchanges in the animation and game industry, and in contributing as much as possible to the cultural exchanges between China and Japan," Hu said.

Ou Yang An, secretary at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, noted China's animation industry is advancing rapidly and has potential to grow further.