China's animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has not only boosted cinema businesses across the country as it continues to break box office records, but helped fuel a growing interest in the country's diverse cultural attractions.
According to data from ticketing platform Maoyan as of Saturday, the film's global earnings, including presales, have surpassed 15 billion yuan (about 2 billion U.S. dollars), a milestone reached just 45 days after its release during the Chinese New Year on Jan. 29.
A cinema featuring an extra-large IMAX screen in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, has recently become a local sensation, all thanks to the blockbuster's box office hit.
The screen spans over 32 meters in width and 18 meters in height, making it the country's widest IMAX GT screen, according to the theater's management.
"As of now, our cinema's box office revenue has reached nearly 13 million yuan, compared to just over 5 million yuan for the entirety of last year. Ne Zha 2 has truly brought a significant increase in visitors to our cinema," said Feng Zhipeng, manager of Guiyang CROSS Cinema.
To better seize the craze, local authorities have cooperated with the cinema to invite performers from different ethnic groups across the province to the venue, giving moviegoers a taste of their unique art forms, including a singing group whose music is featured in the film.
The cinema has also teamed up with nearby restaurants, hotels and tourist spots, offering discounts to moviegoers who show their ticket stubs.
"Through a series of activities, our hotel's occupancy rate has increased by 40 percent compared to the same period last year," said Zha Ling, a local hotel manager.
The local government also has plans to make the most of the movie craze by integrating it with a fascinating trend seen across China in recent years -- interest in visiting rural villages to watch locals play sports.
"We plan to connect it with some local well-known activities, such as our street concerts, village soccer, and village basketball leagues. Through these connections, we aim to boost the overall development of Guiyang's cultural scene," said Xiong Lie, deputy director of the Guiyang Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
"Ne Zha 2" further boosts cultural tourism industry in Guizhou
Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about Iran seeking a ceasefire as "false and baseless," according to state-run Press TV.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei pushed back against Trump's remarks on social media platform Truth Social that the Iranian president "has just asked the United States of America for a ceasefire."
Trump added, "We will consider when the Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!"
Trump has repeatedly claimed in recent days that Iran is seeking negotiations to end the war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that messages have been exchanged between Iran and the United States through intermediaries over the past few days, but stressed that no negotiations have taken place.
On the same day, Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's President, released a letter addressed to the American people, saying the Iranian people harbor no enmity toward American people, accusing the U.S. administration of fighting Iran as a "proxy for Israel."
"The Iranian people harbor no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighboring countries," Pezeshkian said, adding, "Even in the face of repeated foreign interventions and pressures throughout their proud history, Iranians have consistently drawn a clear distinction between governments and the peoples they govern."
In response to Trump's threats of conducting large-scale strikes on Iranian energy facilities, he said attacking the country's vital infrastructure directly targets the Iranian people, stressing that such actions constitute "war crimes" and involve consequences extending beyond Iran's borders.
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.
Wednesday's report by The Telegraph quoted Trump as saying he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after the alliance failed to join the attacks on Iran.
Trump expressed dissatisfaction with NATO for "not being there," saying it was "actually hard to believe."
Responding to the U.S. president's remarks, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at a press conference at 10 Downing that Street Britain would act in its national interest and would not change its position on the Iran war.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that France is not taking part in the U.S.-Israel military action. The Elysee Palace also reaffirmed that France's position remains unchanged.
Iran rejects Trump's ceasefire claim as "false and baseless"
