National Day holiday box office exceeds 1.7 bln yuan

The 2024 National Day box office, including presales, surpassed 1.7 billion yuan (around 240 million U.S. dollars) as of 19:45 on Saturday, the fifth day of the seven-day holiday, according to online data.

This year's films feature a wide range of themes, including sci-fi, anti-child trafficking dramas, patriotism, and traditional Chinese dance culture, catering to diverse audience preferences.

"The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death," the latest directorial work by Chen Kaige, is currently leading the holiday box office charts with earnings exceeding 600 million yuan (85 million U.S. dollars) as of 11:00 Saturday.

As the second installment of Chen's trilogy "The Volunteers", an epic that chronicles the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), the 144-minute new movie recounts a pivotal battle in Cheorwon, where 25,000 Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPVA) soldiers engaged around 50,000 United States-led "United Nations Command" forces in 1951.

"The special effects and scene design of this movie are truly stunning! Each battle makes you feel as if you were right there, experiencing the brutality of war and the heroism of the CPVA soldiers," said Zhou Peihui, an audience member from the eastern Chinese city of Nanchang.

"The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," a documentary on the heroic rescue of British prisoners of war by Chinese fishermen during World War II, continues to attract many viewers during the National Day period, even though it has been in theaters for nearly a month.

"Whether it’s the actors, the storyline, or the filming techniques, I find them all very engaging," said Ms. Yin, an audience member in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.

In addition, films such as the crime drama "Tiger Wolf Rabbit," the action film "High Forces", and Jackie Chan's action-comedy "Panda Plan" have also performed well at the box office, well-received by audiences.

National Day holiday box office exceeds 1.7 bln yuan

The European Union's (EU) tariff hikes on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) violate the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) but will not affect China's economic growth or its rising influence in the global market, said a Tajik economist.

The European Commission announced Friday that it passed a vote to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs, sparking criticism from several European countries and auto industry groups who warn the move could boomerang against the EU competitiveness.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Rahmon Ulmasov, a professor at the Russian-Tajik (Slavonic) University, criticized the EU's decision, which he said restricts free trade.

"Firstly, the EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese EVs violates the WTO rules. Secondly, the development of free trade should not be constrained by any legal mandates or resolutions," he said.

"Chinese manufacturers entered the markets of Europe and the United States a long time ago, and this will continue to be the norm. The reason is simple: China has the capability to mass-produce cost-effective products that consumers want and can afford," he said.

In his view, the tariffs are rooted in shortsightedness that misplaces blame on China for European economic woes.

"Moreover, Europe is facing a shrinking labor force and severe population issues, which is leading them to shift towards the Chinese market. Therefore, the measures attempting to block Chinese goods are only temporary solutions," said Ulmasov.

Moreover, he stressed, attempts to contain the development of China's economic prowess are doomed to failure.

"Chinese investors have a wide range of investment opportunities in Africa, Central Asia, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Therefore, even if the EU takes measures now, it will not affect China's economic growth or its growing influence in global economic development," said Ulmasov.

EU tariff hikes on Chinese EVs violate WTO rules: expert