Chinese box office hit "Ne Zha 2" premieres in Philippines

China's blockbuster hit "Ne Zha 2" premiered overseas on Sunday in the Philippines, captivating audiences with its creative choreography and compelling storyline.

The Quezon City premiere, held in the heart of Metro Manila, welcomed guests to enjoy the film and made tickets available for purchase, ahead of its nationwide release in the Philippines on March 12.

Karen Zabaljauregui, Senior Assistant Vice President at SM Cinema, reported strong pre-sale box office performance, ranking second across the group's cinemas, and expressed confidence in the film's popularity upon release.

"The humor in the movie, and a lot of references to the family, and we see a lot of relatable bits and pieces of the story. So it's not going to be a problem. There will be word of mouth that will be spreading once the movie starts screening," said Zabaljauregui.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian expressed his hope during a speech that the release of "Ne Zha 2" in the Philippines and other Asian countries would allow audiences to appreciate the allure of Chinese culture.

"Through today's screening, I hope that we will not only appreciate the splendor of Chinese culture, but also draw strength from this film. The courage to forge ahead despite difficulties and the determination to break through constraints and pioneered new frontiers," said Huang.

Nearly 400 people attended the opening premiere, with the audience enjoying the film across two screening rooms. The movie's production quality and its rich Chinese cultural themes have received praise from Filipino viewers.

"This is the first time I have seen this kind of animation, very detailed. And I think that even the smallest aspect of it is really, really good, actually," said Ica lansang, a local moviegoer.

"I feel happy, emotional and action part is very thrilling. This story is very captivating. I love Nezha's character, his character development from the first movie up until now, the character development is very, very good," said Sarah Nesperos, another moviegoer.

"I actually watched the first "Nezha" movie and followed its story very well. I'm also familiar with the Chinese mythology behind it. So, watching "Ne Zha 2" definitely showed me a bigger lore about Chinese mythology. I learned some things and definitely saw how amazing the animation style that China has been doing. So, a huge kudos to that. And I hope you guys really watch this in the cinemas," said Claude Ang, a moviegoer.

"Ne Zha 2" was released on January 29, during the 2025 Chinese New Year festival holiday. It entered the list of top 10 highest-grossing films of all time globally on February 17, the 20th day after its release.

It has become the first film to gross over 1 billion U.S. dollars in a single market and the first non-Hollywood film to enter the coveted billion-dollar club. It also dethroned Disney's 2024 picture Inside Out 2 to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally.

"Ne Zha 2" is a sequel to the 2019 animated box office hit "Ne Zha". Inspired by a Chinese mythological figure with the same name, the film has captivated audiences with its vivid storytelling and jaw-dropping visuals while featuring themes of defiance, fate, and self-confidence, which resonate universally.

Chinese box office hit "Ne Zha 2" premieres in Philippines

Chinese box office hit "Ne Zha 2" premieres in Philippines

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media