Newly launched inter-island transport in Hainan benefits locals

A newly launched shuttle boat service between islands in Sansha, China's southernmost city in Hainan Province and home to numerous islands and reefs, has effectively improved transportation convenience for local residents.

Sansha officially began operating shuttle boats between Yongxing Island and Zhaoshu Island on Tuesday.

This new inter-island traffic route has greatly benefited Wu Chunlin, a project manager of the meteorological department at Haikou Hailyu Construction Engineering Installation Co., Ltd.

Now, he can take a boat from Yongxing to Zhaoshu Island to reach the observation station there in time to measure the size of railings that were blown down by a previous typhoon, ensuring it gets repaired quickly.

"As long as something comes up, upon receiving the report, I can head out to sea immediately," said Wu.

Additionally, when sea conditions permit and the boats are safe to operate, at least two round-trip sailings will be arranged between Yongxing and Zhaoshu per day. If the number of registered passengers exceeds the boat's capacity, more trips will be added based on available resources and actual demand.

"We have arranged eight crew members and three speedboats in the early stage to ensure efficient and safe transport. We are also preparing more transportation routes," said Zhang Tianxue, head of shipping team at Sansha Transportation Investment Development Co., Ltd.

By making residents' travel easier and more efficient, the enhanced boat service also contributes to the urban development of Sansha.

Newly launched inter-island transport in Hainan benefits locals

China's movie industry is increasingly deriving its earnings from broader consumer economy.

Released during the 2025 summer season, the film "Nobody" became China's highest-grossing two-dimensional animated film -- and its success went beyond theaters.

Through licensing and brand partnerships, the movie has generated 2.5 billion yuan (about 358.3 million U.S. dollars) in retail sales to consumers, with more than 800 licensed products on the market.

Ranging from plush toys to food and home goods, the movie-related merchandise can be purchased from over 3,000 online and offline outlets.

Meanwhile, souvenir stores are crowded at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia themed land, with hats, plush toys, and collectibles seeing steady demand from visitors.

"China's film industry is no longer defined by box office revenue alone. It has become a new growth engine that links and energizes multiple cultural sectors. At the heart of every successful film is strong storytelling. High-quality productions create cultural value, which in turn enhances the commercial value of intellectual property and opens up new consumption opportunities. I believe China's film industry delivered an outstanding performance in the past year," said Chen Xiaoda, vice dean of Shanghai Vancouver Film School.

Film IP fuels expansion of consumer market