Filmmaker sees sector develop a new story

He owed the success of the film, he said, to an increasingly diversified film market and a phenomenal increase in the number of screens.

"I think a film market that is more sensible and diversified is taking shape, which is what we have been longing for," he said.

However, Jia also expressed worries that a small number of blockbusters dominated the box office last year.

He noted that the domestic box office exceeded 60 billion yuan in 2018, and about two dozen films took up more than half of that total.

"That was an indicator that a very small number of films are gaining the recognition from audiences," he said.

It also implied that, he said, there are flaws with the creativity and techniques of movie production and the market.

"It is important that everyone who takes part in the process of movie production tries their best to be on par with world-class standards. That is the only way that China can improve its level of filmmaking," he said.

Jia has also played a key role in launching a film festival in Pingyao, Shanxi province in 2017.

He said he hoped the film festival, which is set to be held for the third time this year, will help introduce more high-standard foreign films to Chinese audiences.

As one of the few lawmakers representing the film industry, Jia has called for greater efforts to support the development of vocational education for the film industry during the legislative sessions this year.