The latest blockbuster release in the long-running "Alien" sci-fi franchise has already proved a huge hit among Chinese moviegoers, with the China box office already eclipsing sales in the U.S. as film fans flock out to see the gripping space drama.
"Alien: Romulus" has led the Chinese box office for 11 consecutive days since its debut on Aug 16, and has so far raked in 76.41 million U.S. dollars in China as of Tuesday, exceeding the 72.8 million earned in North America.
Produced by 20th Century Studios', the movie is the seventh installment of the successful "Alien" franchise, and tells the story of a group of young space colonists who encounter the universe's most terrifying life form while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station.
The glowing box office performance shows the strong appetite for sci-fi thrillers among Chinese audiences, with many praising its action-packed viewing experience.
"What makes it enjoyable is the thrill. Superhero movies might not be as popular in the mainland now, as they seem a bit outdated. However, this type of film offers intense scenes and visuals, like the alien bursting out, which are rarely seen on domestic screens. That's why I felt I had to watch it," said a filmgoer in Beijing.
Industry insiders say that filmmakers now have a tough job to impress modern audiences given how saturated the film market is, but believe the success of the latest "Alien" movie proves there is still a passion for cinema.
"Today's audiences have increasingly diverse viewing preferences. The intense film market and audience demands have raised the bar for film content. This film's special effects and storyline meet the expectations of Chinese viewers for Hollywood productions. Additionally, the summer vacation boost and the good reputation of the prequel films allow it to yield a huge box office," said Li Jinbo, general manager of Wanda Cinemas, one of China's largest cinema operators.
China becomes largest global market for "Alien: Romulus" as film fans fill cinemas
The ongoing 137th China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as Canton Fair, has become a pivotal platform for foreign trade enterprises looking to enter China's domestic market, with new matchmaking initiatives and government-backed policies driving the transition.
As of April 19, the fair attracted over 148,000 overseas buyers from 216 countries and regions, marking a 20.2-percent increase from the 135th edition two years ago. The second phase of the fair will begin on April 23, following the first phase from April 15 to 19.
To bolster the resilience of foreign trade enterprises amid global challenges, the province of Guangdong hosted the "Foreign Trade Premium Products Guangdong Tour and Domestic Buyer Matchmaking Event" on Friday.
The event featured innovative measures such as policy support, platform development, and channel collaboration, aimed at stimulating domestic consumption and accelerating the shift of foreign trade products into the local market.
At the event, over 300 foreign trade enterprises showcased a range of products, including electronics, electrical appliances, and automotive parts.
More than 360 domestic buyers, including large retail vendors and e-commerce platforms, participated in matchmaking sessions. This facilitated deals worth over 680 million yuan (over 93 million U.S. dollars), further integrating foreign trade with domestic consumption.
"We launched a 'Direct Express' service, which delivers products to various procurement teams within 24 hours to facilitate communication with our partners, aiming to quickly list products and make them available to consumers," said Liu Junyan, senior professional manager at the South China Office of China Resources Vanguard, the supermarket chain.
"Currently, our ratio of domestic to foreign sales is about 3:7. As a company focused on foreign trade, we are not only optimistic about but also urgently need the domestic market. We will make full use of the policies provided by the government, as well as online platforms, e-commerce live streaming, and other channels, to accelerate the transition from foreign trade to domestic sales," said Zeng Shaohui, general manager of Bella Intelligent Information Technology, a producer of AI-powered health products based in Guangzhou.
As e-commerce platforms play a crucial role in helping foreign trade enterprises expand into the domestic market, platforms like Jingxi, JD.com's strategic business targeting lower-tier markets, are helping to lower the entry barriers for many foreign enterprises.
"We specifically target small and medium-sized traders and manufacturers who export products. They don't need in-depth business knowledge; they just need to work with us on packaging. We handle everything -- from item collection to logistics, customer service, and operations. This enables more businesses to easily enter the export-to-domestic e-commerce platform. Currently, our export-to-domestic products are receiving 200 million daily views, with daily sales reaching 10 million yuan," said Qiu Changbin, head of export-to-domestic sales division at JD.com’s Jingxi Business Division.
Business departments across Guangdong are rolling out policies to support the transition of foreign trade enterprises into the domestic market. By leveraging platform resources, building convenient channels, and accurately matching market demand, these efforts are helping enterprises accelerate their expansion.
"To address the current complex and challenging foreign trade situation, we have introduced 18 measures to promote the integration of domestic and foreign trade. These include developing an integrated online platform, linking multiple e-commerce platforms, launching a 24-hour green channel for domestic sales, a 15-day rapid listing process, and a trillion-yuan procurement support plan. These measures are specifically designed to tackle the bottlenecks faced by foreign trade enterprises. So far, we have successfully helped over 400 foreign trade enterprises expand into the domestic market," said Wei Min, director of the Guangzhou Bureau of Commerce.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China and has been hailed as the barometer of China's foreign trade.
Canton Fair facilitates foreign trade expansion into domestic market
