International oil prices surged by over five percent on Thursday due to market concerns over potential disruptions in global crude oil supply following Israel's threat to target Iran's oil production facilities.
The West Texas Intermediate for November delivery increased 3.61 U.S. dollars, or 5.15 percent, to settle at 73.71 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Brent crude for December delivery added 3.72 U.S. dollars, or 5.03 percent, to settle at 77.62 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
Int'l oil prices surge over 5 pct following Israel's threat towards Iran
Int'l oil prices surge over 5 pct following Israel's threat towards Iran
Int'l oil prices surge over 5 pct following Israel's threat towards Iran
Int'l oil prices surge over 5 pct following Israel's threat towards Iran
In a bid to stimulate movie-related consumption during the National Day holiday, local governments across China are rolling out subsidies and vouchers, while cinemas are intensifying efforts to improve the experience for movie-goers.
As of 19:03 on Thursday, the box office for the 2024 National Day holiday, including previews and presales, had surpassed 1.2 billion yuan (about 170 million U.S. dollars), according to ticketing platform Dengta.
The National Day holiday, which runs from October 1 to 7, is part of a broader film consumption season promoted by the China Film Administration, which will see over 300-million-yuan worth of subsidies being released to movie-goers from August to October.
In Beijing, 10-million-yuan worth of subsidies will be released during the holiday, and in Shanghai, the promotional efforts will last longer with coupons worth up to 45 million yuan to be issued from October to the end of the year.
As the film market is boosted by consumers coming to cinemas with discounts, the country's cinema operators have been taking the opportunity to enhance the experience of their customers.
"Apart from the festive National Day holiday decorations, we also put other decorations featuring elements selected from the scenes of each film. We hope that they will help give the movie-goers some immersive experiences as they come to watch the films," said Cai Min, manager of a cinema in Beijing.
In south China's island province of Hainan, cinema operators are innovating by adding performance stages and private rooms in cinemas, where customers can enjoy services like concerts and catering alongside movies.
"Nearly 90 percent of our 25 private rooms were booked by the National Day holiday customers. We made the changes because we want to innovate the business model of traditional cinemas, which only offer movie-goers popcorns and a place to watch films. In our cinema, customers can listen to some folksongs before watching the film and they can also enjoy meals and have party while enjoying the films. These help break the physical boundaries of film theaters and make the whole cinema more diversified," said Liu Wei, executive vice president of the Hongshulin Tourism Operation and Management Group.
"In this cinema, apart from watching the movie, I also enjoyed other services like the concerts and catering. I think the business model is great and fashionable," said Liu Mingqi, a movie-goer.
China's cinemas enhance experience to stimulate movie-related consumption during National Day holiday
