China's box office takings surge since 2002

Zhang Yimou, director. Photo provided to China Daily

China forecast to lead film market by 2020

Hollywood optimistic over Chinese market

Chinese domestic productions have become more diversified, according to the film bureau. The box office success of thriller "Black Coal, Thin Ice" by Diao Yinan took in about 100 million yuan, and also raised the country's appeal in art films, which used to regularly fail at theaters.

Directors, including Zhang Yimou, are increasingly producing arthouse films. Zhang's romance "Coming Home" has pocketed more than 260 million yuan since it debuted on May 16.

The ballooning market, now the second largest in the world, was due largely to an increasing number of theaters and screens. As of April this year, there were 20,285 screens in the country, compared to 1,581 in 2002, according to Zhang. The number of theaters surged from 872 in 2002 to 4,545 in April.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, issued regulations in 2002 to promote development of the industry, making it more commercialized.

Private companies have led the way. Wanda Cinema Line with 1,292 screens made 3.16 billion yuan last year, ranking it first.

The Chinese film market will further expand as most screens are in big cities. The number of screens in counties accounted for only 30.2 percent. Analysts forecast a big increase in the number of screens in counties in the next few years.