Beijing-based Polybona Film Distribution, Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP) and international star Jackie Chan have launched a joint venture artist management company, Bona Yinglong Artist Management.

Chan will be the chairman of the new Beijing-based company with EMP's Albert Yeung as vice-chairman. Chan and Yeung are already partnered through Hong Kong-based production outfit JCE Movies. Polybona president Yu Dong will be CEO of the new artist management company.

At the launch event in Beijing on Feb 2, Bona Yinglong announced the signing of five artists: Huang Yi, (Brothers, Plastic City), Jiang Hongbo, (Devils On The Doorstep), Yuan Quan, Taiwanese actor Zhang Shi and Hong Kong starlet Leung Fai-yan.

Bona Yinglong will also invest in actress Fan Bingbing's artist management office and set up a partnership between the two companies.

'Yu Dong takes care of artists in mainland China; Albert Yeung is in charge of Hong Kong artists and my job is to promote them to Hollywood,' said Jackie Chan.

Regarded as China 's largest private distribution company, Polybona Film Distribution has previously distributed films handled internationally by EMP such as The Myth, New Police Story and The Sun Also Rises. It will also distribute EMP's upcoming Shinjuku Incident, directed by Derek Yee and starring Chan.

In 2007, Polybona distributed or co-distributed 20 films, with total revenue reaching $55.6m (RMB400m). Early last year, the company received investment from Sequoia Capital China and SIG Asia Investments, and began its expansion into artist management and film productions.

The company also has a cinema management business, and opened its fifth multiplex in December 2007 in Xian City.