More screening time demanded for domestic films

As Avatar continues to smash box-office records in China, the government has reminded domestic cinemas that the screening time of imported movies be no more than a third of the total.

The requirement was included along with newly-released guidelines by the State Council, or the cabinet, to boost the country's film industry and build up its soft power.

The document, posted yesterday on the central government website www.gov.cn, put forward 10 measures ranging from increasing financial support to the domestic film industry and raising technological innovation to encouraging the industry to expand overseas.