Chinese blockbuster hit "Ne Zha 2" continued to break box office records on Thursday and has now become the third-highest grossing animated film of all time.
As of Thursday afternoon, the film's overall box office takings has now exceeded 1.36 billion U.S. dollars, taking it above the Super Mario Bros. Movie to rank among the top three most lucrative animated movies ever made.
The film is already the most commercially successful non-Hollywood animation in history and now sits behind only the 'Frozen' and 'Inside Out' movie sequels in the table of highest-earning animated movies.
The film has proven a huge hit among moviegoers of all ages since its release late last month ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday. According to the latest data on Thursday afternoon, more than 200 million people have watched it in cinemas across China, making it the first Chinese film to achieve such viewing figures.
As the long-awaited sequel to the 2019 animated adventure, "Ne Zha 2" had already gained considerable hype online, with numerous netizens on Chinese social media platforms later expressing their eagerness to return and watch the movie multiple times, such was their enjoyment of the film.
Due to the critical and commercial success of "Ne Zha 2", one of its producers -- Beijing Enlight Media - has seen a nearly 200-percent surge in its share price since the movie first hit screens on Jan 29.
After a record-breaking domestic performance, the "Ne Zha 2" film phenomenon is now looking to make its mark on the international markets as it begins to be screened in theaters around the world. The film is set to be released in the U.S. on Friday after already debuting in several countries and regions over the past week, and its global release is expected to significantly increase its overall earnings.
Drawing inspiration from a mythological tale dating back to China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) period, the movie showcases cutting-edge special effects, demonstrating the creativity of the Chinese movie industry. By combining various traditional Chinese cultural elements into the plot, imagery, and characters, the movie also highlights the unique charm of Chinese culture.
Chinese blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" becomes third-highest grossing animated film of all time
Chinese blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" becomes third-highest grossing animated film of all time
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
