Alpha's cartoon heroes take on the world, triumph in sales

Alpha Group Co Ltd, one of the country's top animation and toy producers, said it was bullish it would maintain its rapid business growth internationally by exploiting the value of the intellectual rights and properties it owns.

Alpha, based in Shantou in Guangdong province, took in 1.01 billion yuan ($147 million) in international revenue last year, soaring 138.21 percent year-on-year.

The surge in overseas business resulted from Alpha's efforts to successfully place its Chinese cartoon characters onto TV screens worldwide and tap their IP value through such activities as selling related toys, said Wang Jing, a vice-president of the Shenzhen-listed company.