Pre-sales for the Chinese animated film "Ne Zha 2" -- now the highest-grossing film of all time in China -- are skyrocketing in North America, with theater occupancy exceeding 90 percent and many popular showtimes already sold out.
Formally known as "Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea", the film is the sequel to the 2019 animated blockbuster "Ne Zha", drawing inspiration from the tale of a mythological figure of the same name from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel "Fengshen Yanyi", or "The Investiture of the Gods".
The film will kick off special screenings in North America on Wednesday, ahead of its official release on Friday.
Additional showtimes in major cities like New York and Los Angeles will be available for purchase starting Monday via local cinema websites.
Besides, "Ne Zha 2" held its North American premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on Saturday, drawing hundreds of fans and industry professionals from both China and the United States.
The film has already shattered numerous records.
According to Chinese ticketing platform Beacon, the film grossed over 8.085 billion yuan (about over 1.11 billion U.S. dollars) as of 21:00 Beijing Time on Sunday, surpassing the box office earnings of "The Dark Knight Rises" and becoming the first Asian film to enter the Top 35 of the global box office chart.
Having surpassed the box office of "Despicable Me 3", an American comedy 3D animation released in 2017, the film is now the first non-Hollywood film to enter the Top 10 of the global animation box office list.
Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" sparks ticket frenzy in North America
Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.
"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.
He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.
"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.
"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.
Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival
