China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the U.S. Defense Department's announcement to place some Chinese research institutions on a sanctions list, the Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.
The opposition comes about a week after the U.S. Department of Defense updated its list of foreign institutions engaging in "problematic activities" to include the Chinese research bodies.
China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese research institutions and ensure a sound environment for normal scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
The spokesperson said the United States has continuously overstretched the concept of national security, erected discriminatory barriers, and politicized, weaponized and instrumentalized scientific research cooperation.
The U.S. moves undermine the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' scientific communities and run counter to the global trend of international collaboration in scientific and technological innovation, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson urged the United States to stop making unwarranted accusations against Chinese research institutions, correct its erroneous practices as soon as possible, and provide Chinese research institutions with fair, just and non-discriminatory treatment.
China slams U.S. move to sanction Chinese research institutions
China slams U.S. move to sanction Chinese research institutions
China's box office revenues, including ticket pre-sales, have surpassed 29 billion yuan (4.2 billion U.S. dollars) for 2026, with 737 million admissions and 106 million screenings recorded so far this year.
A dazzling lineup of summer hits have broken multiple records and drawn audiences back to theaters, with the three-month summer movie season from June to August recording an all-time high revenue of 12.498 billion yuan, up 4.45 percent from the 11.96 billion yuan in the previous summer.
Among this year's top performers is "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East." Set in a war-torn Middle Eastern city, the film follows a Chinese cook who travels abroad in search of a better life, weaving anti-war themes into a culinary story with a cross-cultural commentary.
Hong Kong director Stephen Chow's sports comedy Kung Fu Soccer about a team of female footballers has so far grossed over 2.33 billion yuan at the box office.
"Dear You," a Chaoshan (Teochew)-dialect film, tells a moving story of homesickness and family ties among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Its global box office has now surpassed 2.1 billion yuan.
"All Wishes Come True," which draws inspiration from the classic Chinese folk tale "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea", has been released across North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe, and has topped the charts among Chinese-language films in several countries.
In addition to its box office success, the film has also driven tourists to the real-world landscapes that inspired it.
Penglai in Yantai City, east China's Shandong Province has long been associated with the "Eight Immortals" legend.
At the heart of the destination is Penglai Pavilion, a historic complex overlooking the Yellow Sea.
Visitors can explore "Eight Immortals"-themed products, ride a panoramic cable car or take a speedboat across the sea.
Nearly 20 scenic spots and commercial areas are offering special deals to moviegoers, with some promotions running through September 30.
"Penglai is a very famous place. After watching 'All Wishes Come True,' I wanted to bring my child here. It really feels like stepping into the story," said one visitor.
China's 2026 box office revenues hit 29 billion yuan
