Total earnings of animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" reach new high

The global total earnings of Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2," including presales, reached a new high of 11.5 billion yuan (about 1.59 billion U.S. dollars) as of Sunday morning, according to box office tracker Dengta Data.

With the ongoing success of "Ne Zha 2", the popularity of the blockbuster's screenings at theaters continues to rise. Most of the audience members at the screenings are fans who are watching it for the second or even third time.

"The box office contribution of the IMAX version of 'Ne Zha 2' at our theater has currently reached over 44 percent. We've also increased the number of late-night screenings twice, and now our latest show ends at 23:30," said Zhao Xiaoqing, Cinema Department director of the China Film Museum.

"Ne Zha 2" continues to be a hit, and the film is set to be released in Hong Kong SAR soon.

Those who couldn't wait any longer to watch the film decided to visit neighboring Shenzhen City for an earlier viewing.

In a cinema hall in Shenzhen City, the electronic screen are displaying that all showtimes for "Ne Zha 2" have been sold out, with crowds of people waiting at the ticket check-in area. Among those queuing to watch the film, many are tourists from Hong Kong.

"I heard the box office is doing great, so I've particularly taken my kids with me here to watch it," said a Hong Kong tourist.

"My favorite is Ne Zha because he looks really cute, and my classmates all say it's pretty good," said a girl from Hong Kong.

"'Ne Zha 2' is the most popular films in recent years, continuing its huge success since the Chinese New Year holiday. It has attracted many Hong Kong visitors to Shenzhen to watch the film here. After its release, the proportion of Hong Kong viewers in our theater has been around 30 to 40 percent," said Liao Zeyi, manager of a cinema in Shenzhen.

The sequel continues the story of the iconic character Ne Zha, a rebellious boy-god from Chinese mythology. Set after the events of the first film, it follows Ne Zha and Ao Bing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren (True Man of the Grand Unity), who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges.

The film's exploration of universal themes, such as defiance in the face of power, the struggle against fate, and embracing self-confidence, has struck a chord with the viewers.

Total earnings of animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" reach new high

Total earnings of animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2," including presales, reach new high

Yemen's temporary capital Aden is showing resilience and stability in economy, with market operations and public services running smoothly despite a recent escalation in the region's volatile military and political situation.

Currently, various essential supplies, including grain, oil, food and everyday items, are consistently available on the markets.

Public services such as water, electricity and communications are also functioning normally, and shops in multiple commercial districts remain open.

"We went out to buy household items today. The prices were the same. There was no rise in prices," said Mohamed Naguib, a resident.

The current market stability is attributed to the efficient functioning of the transportation and logistics systems, as well as the government's ongoing efforts to enhance market oversight and regulate prices, which have helped reduce market volatility, according to analysts.

"Although there are some rumors about rising tensions, the overall situation in Aden remains stable. The industry and commerce department has continued to monitor the market and rigorously control prices to prevent increases in commodity and food costs," said Amjad Al-Husseini, director of the Aden Governor's Office.

The city's monetary circulation system has also largely maintained balance, with the exchange rate of the local currency against major foreign currencies remaining relatively stable.

Aden has long been a flashpoint in the country's civil war, which erupted in 2014 when Houthi forces seized much of the north, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention in the following year. Tensions in the south have persisted despite repeated power-sharing deals.

The tensions further escalated last month after the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) seized large swathes of Yemen's oil-rich Hadramout province and the eastern province of Al-Mahrah. Riyadh considers these areas as a "red line" due to their proximity to the Saudi border and their concentration of Yemen's remaining energy reserves.

Last week, airstrikes and ground operations by the Saudi-led coalition forced the STC forces to withdraw from the two provinces.

Formed in 2017, the STC seeks autonomy and eventual independence for southern Yemen. Although it joined the Saudi-led coalition and became part of the Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council in 2022, the group's push for southern self-rule has continued to fuel disputes over power-sharing and control of territory and resources.

Economy, market remain stable in Yemen's Aden despite escalating violence