A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CCTV and Pact member companies will be signed Wednesday 23 April in China expressing a dedication to exploring potential areas of collaboration between the Chinese state broadcaster and UK indies, including commissions, co-productions and acquisitions.

A group of British independent TV production companies are in China for the first-ever bespoke China-UK television summit organised by the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact).

The indies are visiting Xiamen and Beijing this week and are meeting with the country’s major broadcasters.

The MoU is signed as part of the trade mission and representatives from both governments, including the UK’s MP Ed Vaizey, will attend.

John McVay, Pact’s chief executive, commented that the event and the signing of the agreement stress the importance of the fast-growing Chinese market for UK television producers.

“In a global market, the agreement is a shining example of the potential of the UK creative industries – it also shows the importance going forward of continued appropriate levels of funding support from the UK government for SMEs to maximise their potential in growth markets.

“These companies are generating revenues and creating jobs in the UK economy that will help address the imbalance between revenues from the domestic services and global exports.”

Pact describes the summit as an opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships and mutual success in global markets for UK production companies and Chinese buyers and broadcasters.