Universal premiering new operations in Beijing

Universal Pictures is boosting its presence in the world's second-largest movie market and has appointed industry veteran Jo Yan to lead operations in China.

Yan, managing director and executive vice-president of Universal Pictures China, has his first priority to open the company's new office in Beijing. Universal is the last of the six major US moviemakers to establish offices in China.

Yan's duties will include the studio's growing co-production efforts and overseeing theatrical and digital distribution. Universal's Fast & Furious 6 and Illumination Entertainment's Despicable Me 2 were huge hits in China, and the next installments will open here next year, along with Jurassic World.