When Chinese people think of animation studios, the first one that comes to mind is the Shanghai Animation Film Studio.

The next morning at 9:10, Zhao Ye set off from home, first meeting with the city leaders, and then they went to the Shanghai Animation Film Studio together.

At this moment, Party Secretary Gong Jianian and Factory Director Xu Xiangming were already standing outside the company gate with their men to welcome them.

A red banner hung high at the entrance: "Warmly welcome city leaders and Mr. Zhao to our factory!"

Half an hour later, Zhao Ye and his group arrived at the Shanghai Animation Film Studio.

Before the car even stopped, there was already a great commotion of gongs and drums at the entrance of the film studio.

The sound stopped abruptly as Zhao Ye and the others approached.

"Mr. Zhao, let me introduce you. This is Gong Jianian, the factory's Party Secretary, and this is Xu Xiangming, the factory director," Mayor Zhou Bowen said, pointing to the two men.

"Secretary Gong and Director Xu, hello!" Zhao Ye smiled at the two men and then extended his right hand to shake their hands.

"Hello, Mr. Zhao!"

Gong Jianian and Xu Xiangming shook hands with Zhao Ye and greeted him.

After some pleasantries...

Gong Jianian and Xu Xiangming then led everyone on a tour of the factory, introducing the facilities as they went.

Before long, the conversation turned to five years ago.

"In November 1980, when Sino-Japanese relations eased, Osamu Tezuka, as the president of the Japanese Animation Association, along with Shinichi Suzuki, made a special trip to China. They visited the Wan brothers at the Shanghai Animation Film Studio. Upon meeting his childhood idols, he was very excited and said, 'In the early 1940s, I started working in animation after watching your 'Princess Iron Fan.'"

Today, Osamu Tezuka is known as the 'father of Japanese manga'.

But our Shanghai Animation Film Studio began to decline..."

After Gong Jianian finished speaking, he sighed.

Upon hearing this, the employees of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio nearby also became depressed.

Just then, Zhao Ye suddenly spoke up: "Don't be discouraged, everyone! The rise of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio is just around the corner!"

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