China-based internet messaging company Tencent, which has corporate venturing backing by South Africa-based media group Naspers, will reportedly make a RMB450m ($69m) investment in Huayi Brothers Media Group, a locally-listed film distributor and television producer.
Tencent will gain a 4.6% stake in Huayi, according to China Tech News. Tencent set up a $760m fund earlier this year to make minority and majroity investments, according to a source close to the company.
Huayi started in 1994 when brothers Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei, invested in directors Feng Xiaogang and Jiang Wen and now has 30% of the China-made film market.