"Ne Zha 2" draws fans back for repeat viewings

"Nezha 2," the latest Chinese animated blockbuster, has grossed over 11.3 billion yuan (about 1.56 billion U.S. dollars) at the box office, with fans flocking to premium theaters for repeat viewings.

"It truly breaks the stereotype that 'Chinese animation is only for domestic audiences.' With world-class production quality and a profound cultural depth, it showcases the unique charm of Chinese stories to audiences worldwide," said Hu Xianfeng, a movie fan from Chongqing.

Audiences have been lining up for IMAX, 4D, and Dolby Cinema screenings in pursuit of a truly immersive experience. At the China Film Museum in Beijing, home to the city's largest IMAX screen, tickets have been selling out fast.

"It was quite difficult to get these tickets. We specifically tried to grab IMAX tickets for this screening. This is our second time watching 'Ne Zha 2.' The sound here is better than in the previous theater, and the larger screen offers higher resolution," said a fan eager for the ultimate viewing experience.

The demand for premium screenings is reminiscent of the 2009 "Avatar" craze.

Zhou Xin, a projectionist at the China Film Museum with 20 years of experience, noted that the IMAX GT theater, which has 340 seats, is now running five shows a day instead of the usual three, as audiences seek the ultimate cinematic experience driven by advanced projection and audio technology.

"The IMAX GT 4K digital projector has an aspect ratio of 1.43:1, which is 40 percent larger than that of standard theaters, allowing audiences to see more of the picture. It is also equipped with a 12.1-channel surround sound system, providing a more immersive and detailed audio experience for the audience," said Zhou.

Beyond IMAX, 4D and Dolby Cinema screenings have also sold out, highlighting the film's widespread appeal.

"Ne Zha 2" and its predecessor, the 2019 blockbuster "Ne Zha," were both inspired by the classic 16th-century novel "The Investiture of the Gods."

"Ne Zha 2" draws fans back for repeat viewings

China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) reviewed a record number of new drug registration applications in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 16.2 percent, with antineoplastic drugs accounting for the largest share, according to the administration.

In 2024, the NMPA evaluated a total of 18,259 drug registration applications, a figure that reflects the vitality of China's innovation in drug research and development.

"The record number of reviewed drug applications is a clear sign of China's rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry. The approval of high-quality new drugs not only gives Chinese patients more and better treatment options, but also shows China's increasing role in the global pharmaceutical market, offering more Chinese solutions to patients around the world," said Yuan Lijia, a staff member at the Center for Drug Evaluation under the NMPA.

Notably, in 2024, applications for clinical trial and market approval of new anti-tumor drugs ranked first among all chemical drugs and biologics, accounting for even half of the total.

"In 2024, anti-tumor drugs made up the largest share of approved clinical trial applications, with over 41 percent being chemical drugs and more than 55 percent being biologics. Throughout the year, anti-tumor drugs also led in the number of innovative drugs approved, with both chemical drugs and biologics surpassing 36 percent," said Geng Ying, an official with the center.

In 2024, China approved the market entry of 48 innovative drugs and 65 innovative medical devices. Its number of drugs in development ranked second globally, and several domestically developed drugs gained approval for global markets.

China's new drug registration applications hit record high in 2024