Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" becomes 7th highest-grossing film worldwide

Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has grossed over 14.16 billion yuan (1.94 billion U.S. dollars) in box office revenue as of Saturday, surpassing "Spider-Man: No Way Home", and securing its position among the top seven films of all time globally.

The box office sensation has jumped from the eighth to seventh place on the global box office chart in just ten days. This animated film has not only become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, but it is also the first in Chinese cinema history to surpass the 10 billion yuan (1.37 billion U.S. dollar) mark in the Asian market. Additionally, it has set a new record for the highest box office earnings in a single film market worldwide.

Since its release in various countries, "Ne Zha 2" has resonated with international audiences. Italian director Sergio Basso, a veteran with over 30 films to his name, praised the film for its stunning special effects and artistic design. He noted that the film's nuanced emotional depth is a testament to its quality, highlighting Ne Zha's iconic line -- "I am the master of my own destiny" -- as particularly relatable to Western viewers.

"The secret to a film's success lies in its ability to resonate universally with audiences, touching the sentiments that reside in everyone's hearts. In Latin, there is a similar saying - Homo faber fortunae suae, l'uomo è artefice della propria sorte (Man is the architect of his own fate). Despite the differences in environments thousands of years ago, both Europeans and Chinese have arrived at the same conclusion that if we can firmly believe in our sentiments and trust in the power of unity and brotherhood, we can grow together," he said.

Basso also highlighted the need for diverse cultural content in the global entertainment market, advocating for a harmonious coexistence of different cultures.

"China has a wealth of captivating mythological stories and fascinating historical narratives from various dynasties. China is eager to share these tales with the rest of the world, and through this sharing, we can deepen our understanding of one another. This exchange is a beautiful dance of cultural interaction, and we should all participate in this harmonious collaboration," he said.

Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" becomes 7th highest-grossing film worldwide

Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" becomes 7th highest-grossing film worldwide

Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" becomes 7th highest-grossing film worldwide

Impact of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is pushing Gulf countries to revisit costly plans for pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, so that they can continue to export oil and gas, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Thursday.

"Officials and industry executives say new pipelines may be the only way to reduce Gulf countries' enduring vulnerability to disruption in the strait, even though such projects would be expensive, politically complex and take years to complete," said the report.

"Previous plans for pipelines across the region have repeatedly stalled, undone by high costs and complexity," it said.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy corridor bordered by Iran to the north.

Around a fifth of global liquefied natural gas supply passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which also carries about one quarter of global seaborne oil trade.

Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz by restricting passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.

Gulf countries consider new pipelines to avoid Strait of Hormuz: Financial Times