(Photo from Suzhou Daily)

Hakim & Kong Xiaoxi, the first animated co-production of China and Saudi Arabia, is now popular among children, and also plants seed of China-Saudi Arabia friendship in their hearts.

The product of ORI Animation headquartered in Suzhou is also the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. Agreement for the project was signed in Beijing in May 2014 when Saudi press agency visited China. It was dubbed into Arabic in July 2016 and premiered in Saudi Arabia on February 22, 2017. Following the airing in China and Saudi Arabia, the animation has been distributed to more than 20 countries.

The 26-episode series, with each episode in 26 minutes, features a Chinese boy named Kong Xiaoxi and his friendship with Saudi Arabian boy Hakim. It presents a comprehensive picture of Chinese cuisine, clothing, martial arts as well as Saudi Arabian culture, food and customs, making it a good choice for people of the two countries to understand each other.

Qian Feng, president of ORI Animation, said more than 200 employees joined the creation and production while the Saudi side was responsible for offering guidance on culture and customs. The company also sent a team to Saudi Arabia for nearly a month to carry out studies at the start of the production.

Qian also said the second season is currently in production.