Original IP benefiting creative industries

The growth of original intellectual property in China is creating fresh opportunities for Chinese and US creative industries to work together, as companies from both countries can combine their respective strengths to produce content that resonates with audiences worldwide, said a veteran television producer from the United States.

IP refers to original creative works and brands that can be developed into a range of products , including films, games, toys and other cultural products.

"In the past five years, China has entered a golden age of original IP led by the success of Pop Mart, Black Myth: Wukong and Nezha films. There's never been a better time to work with China on high-quality, original content," Josh Selig, founder and president of content and consulting firm China Bridge Content, told China Daily.

An Emmy Award-winning creator and seasoned producer, Selig said the rise of original Chinese IP reflects the rapid transformation of the country's creative industries, where new ideas, technologies and business models are reshaping the way content is created, distributed and consumed.

"Everything in China moves quickly, including the way content is created and distributed," he said, adding that this creative momentum is being driven by a new generation of artists and entrepreneurs who are developing original voices while gaining a deeper understanding of global audiences.

Selig's comments come as China's cultural and creative industries continue to expand. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics in June, the country's cultural and related industries generated 20.83 trillion yuan ($3.1 trillion) in revenue in 2025, up 8.8 percent year-on-year, hitting a record high.

Against this backdrop, Selig believes deeper cooperation between Chinese and US creative teams could help bring more high-quality content to global audiences by combining the strengths of both sides.

"America is a comparatively young country, but we do have a great history of storytelling. I see many opportunities to bring Chinese and US teams together to create new content that will resonate globally," he said.

Selig noted that projects that integrate cultural elements from both China and the US could become an important direction for future global content creation, as both sides have complementary strengths and much to learn from each other.

However, the successful cooperation calls for more than a single project, as long-term commitment, mutual understanding and efforts to build lasting partnerships will eventually benefit business operators from both sides, he added.

"The opportunities are everywhere, but it takes time and personal commitment to build the right relationships," he said.

"I've noticed that many Western companies only engage with China when it seems easy. This doesn't build very much trust," Selig said. "If you cannot build trust in China, you cannot build anything else."

Already with domestic offices in Beijing and Shanghai, the company's founder said he is considering adding a staff member in Chongqing following his visit to the city's international film week in June, as he believes the city is "on the rise as the new center of China's flourishing animation industry".

lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn