China's emerging industries and foreign trade registered rapid growth in August, giving a booster to the world's green transformation and providing development opportunities for developing countries, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Beijing on Tuesday.
"First, emerging industries rose rapidly. In August, value-added output in high-tech manufacturing and digital product manufacturing enterprises increased by 16.7 percent and 15.7 percent year on year, respectively. According to our calculations, new growth drivers contributed more than 60 percent to the growth of industrial enterprises above designated size and this contribution continues to rise. The production index for the information software and information technology services sector went up by 9.6 percent, contributing more than 20 percent to the growth of the service sector's production index," said NBS spokesman Fu Linghui at a press conference on China's economic performance in August.
"Second, imports and exports grew rapidly. In August, the total value of goods imports and exports rose by 19.8 percent year on year. In terms of export, China's exports of green products such as new energy vehicles and lithium-ion batteries ticked up rapidly, robustly promoting global green transformation and development. On the import side, China's imports from developing countries, including those of ASEAN, Africa and Latin America, also shot up significantly, providing new opportunities for industrial development in these nations," he said.
China's emerging sectors, foreign trade log growth in August: spokesman
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
