BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- A cartoon series about the Silk Road will premiere on Chinese TV in the first half of 2016 after two years in production, according to a press conference held Thursday in Beijing.

The 104-episode cartoon series, "Si Lu Gongzhu" or "Princess Silk Road," is based on the story of a brave girl who guards the ancient trade route, which served as the main channel for political, economic and cultural exchange between the East and the West.

The character defeats and then befriends four monsters. With their help, she helps merchants and travelers along the Silk Road.

It is the first animated series about Silk Road culture in China.

Dong Zhigang, chief screenwriter, revealed that "Princess Silk Road" will air on more than 20 TV channels, including BTV KAKU, a children's TV channel, and regional or provincial channels across Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Gansu and Fujian.

Dong also said countries along the Silk Road such as Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Indonesia are interested in importing the series.

The Silk Road has been the subject of media attention since China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, covering both the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, to connect Asian, European and African countries more closely and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

"The purpose of this cartoon is to let audiences worldwide better understand the history, legends, culture and geography of the Silk Road through an adventure story," said Dong.