Foreign Investors Rush to Chinese Silver Screen

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 28, 2002

Foreign Investors Rush to Chinese Silver Screen

Foreign investors can now take a front row seat in the Chinese silver screen industry, with at least 20 joint-stock cinemas expected to open this year. Experts say China's entry into the WTO is both a challenge and an opportunity for the country's film, radio and television sector and it will bring new ideas of film-making and more advanced technologies at lower prices to improve film-making facilities.

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More joint-stock cinema to open

Foreign investors can now take a front row seat in the Chinese silver screen industry, with at least 20 joint-stock cinemas expected to open this year, according to a senior official with the Ministry of Culture.

Under a new regulation drafted by the ministry, joint-stock cinemas -- with at least 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) as registered capital, and foreign investment not exceeding 49 per cent -- will enjoy the same rights and duties as China's State-owned film venues.

However, the new establishments cannot be named after overseas media or cinemas, and are prohibited from showing smuggled and pirated movies or videotapes, VCDs and DVDs to the public.

Zhang Xinjian, vice-director of the ministry's Department of Cultural Market's Administration, said the ministry has received many inquiries from interested parties, and at least five applicants for approval.

"There are many other detailed rules that joint-stock cinemas should follow before a green light is given," Zhang said.

China amended its regulation on the movie industry late last year, allowing foreign investors to participate in building and reconstructing cinemas by establishing joint-stock enterprises with Chinese partners.

New challenge and opportunity

Experts say China's entry into the World Trade Organization is both a challenge and an opportunity for the country's film, radio and television sector.

Also starting from this year, China will import up to 20 movies from other countries, whose profits are to be divided between producers and cinemas.

There is no restriction on which countries the movies are imported. However, one country cannot exceed half of the total import.

Many industry experts predict foreign influence will damage the already fragile domestic film-making industry, while a minority hold an optimistic attitude.

They claim it will bring new ideas of film-making and more advanced technologies at lower prices to improve film-making facilities.

Also, they add, cinemas and film distributors will have their profits increased and the masses will be able to enjoy new movies as early as audiences around the world

Film sector lures investors

Film bureau officials say they are monitoring the cinemas with foreign investment, and audience reaction to having to fork out 20 or 30 yuan for a ticket - twice that at most wholly Chinese-run theatres.

Film fans look forward to more imported films after China enters the WTO. The Chinese Government has agreed to import 40 films a year after accession and 50 films in three years.

US production house Pacesetter Pictures International hopes the film bureau will relax its rules to allow foreigners to distribute imported films. The company plans to shoot and produce its first movie in China and hopes to be able to distribute it.

"We've decided corporately that we are going to build on our success here in China and go into the movie business," said Ernie Tadla, Shanghai-based executive vice-president and general manager of Pacesetter.

"It will be a great expansion and upgrading and uplifting because there will be people in organizations throughout the world that recognize the potential in China," Tadla said. >>details

Source: China Daily

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