Interviewing Tian Jin, the vice minister for the People’s Republic of China’s State Administration of Radio, Film & Television (SARFT), I found myself the subject of media scrutiny for a change, the prey rather than the predator. His entourage swept in, and the interview was conducted under the hot spotlights of numerous TV cameras and glaring flashes of myriad press photographers. For as the vice minister explained, the delegation to this year’s MIPTV wasn’t just about international co-operation in the media space but part of a wider remit to enhance international relations and encourage confidence at a time when it’s most needed. “We brought our delegation to conduct in-depth exchanges with our international counterparts at MIPTV,” he told Television Asia Plus. “We also brought our confidence to the international broadcasting community. As our Premier (Wen Jiabao) has previously said, confidence is more important than gold or money, so we are at this market to increase confidence and seek co-operation opportunities. It is the responsibility of not only broadcasters but also media professionals to encourage confidence. Meanwhile we are taking this chance to also increase relations between China and other countries.” In its efforts to foster co-operation, seek co-production and boost international confidence, China bought its biggest ever delegation to MIPTV 2009, comprising over 200 delegates representing over 40 broadcasting organizations, and over 4,000 hours of programming hours. The morning of China Day, 31 March 2009, saw the Focus on China Forum at which Tian Jin’s keynote speech called to deepen co-operation for joint development. “We hope that China Day activities will act as bridges of friendship and co-operation, helping TV professionals from different nations to see the development of Chinese TV industry and China, and to increase communication and cooperation with Chinese partners,” he said. Citing partnerships with over 200 broadcast organizations from over 100 countries and regions, he said China has co-produced with international counterparts nearly 1,000 hours of TV dramas, documentaries and animations. “Among these highly acclaimed are, for example, Wild China an HD documentary for Wild Series co-produced by CCTV of China and BBC of the UK; Shaolin Wuzang an animation jointly produced by Shanghai Fantasia Animation International Ltd and Les Cartooneurs Associes of France; Taiping Heavenly Kingdon, a historic drama jointly edited for the international market by CITVC of CCTV and Warner TV International of USA.” Tian went on to outline three points for SARFT’s vision of TV exchange and cooperation namely: 1. Expanding common ground for a mutual benefited future 2. Deepening cooperation with a concerted effort 3. Creating high quality content via renovation The vice minister’s keynote was followed by a panel on co-productions with China: Documentary, in which executive producer from the BBC’s Natural History Unit Brian Leith talked about his experiences making the highly-acclaimed Wild China. David Haslingden, CEO of National Geographic Channels International & National Geographic Channel US, and CEO of Fox International Channels, spoke of the necessity to find co-production content that works both in China and internationally. And the ubiquitous Liu Xiaolin, president of the Beijing Asian Union Culture & Media Investment Ltd spoke of the co-production opportunities available in China. Fourth panelist was Ma Runsheng, president of distribution division at China International TV Corporation. TVAplus