Local Blockbusters Push China's Box Office To Record US$4 Billion In First Half
During the same period, the number of moviegoers increased to 641 million, a 16.89 percent rise from the previous year, according to the data released by the National Film Administration on Tuesday.
Domestic films accounted for 91.2 percent of the total earnings, playing an increasingly important role in the world's largest film market, data shows.
'Ne Zha 2,' a domestic blockbuster that has amassed 15.45 billion yuan on the Chinese mainland in 2025, tops the Chinese box office chart as the most-watched and highest-grossing film ever in China. Related
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New Straits Times
10 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
White House joins TikTok as Trump shields app from ban
WASHINGTON: The White House launched a TikTok account on Tuesday, as President Donald Trump continues to permit the Chinese-owned platform to operate in the United States despite a law requiring its sale. "America we are BACK! What's up TikTok?" read a caption on the account's first post on the popular video sharing app, a 27-second clip. The account had about 4,500 followers an hour after posting the video. Trump's personal account on TikTok meanwhile has 110.1 million followers, though his last post was on Nov 5, 2024 – Election Day. TikTok is owned by China-based internet company ByteDance. A federal law requiring TikTok's sale or ban on national security grounds was due to take effect the day before Trump's inauguration on Jan 20. But the Republican, whose 2024 election campaign relied heavily on social media and who has said he is fond of TikTok, put the ban on pause. In mid-June Trump extended a deadline for the popular video-sharing app by another 90 days to find a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the United States. That extension is due to expire in mid-September. While Trump had long supported a ban or divestment, he reversed his position and vowed to defend the platform – which boasts almost two billion global users – after coming to believe it helped him win young voters' support in the November election. Trump's official account on X, formerly Twitter, has 108.5 million followers – though his favoured social media outlet is Truth Social, which he owns, where he has 10.6 million followers.
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Billions spent but armed forces assets outdated: PM
PETALING JAYA: Billions have been spent on defence, yet Malaysia is still deploying ships from 1976 – a failure Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says is due to flawed procurement practices weakened by political interference and over-reliance on private agents. He said Malaysia must cut its dependence on intermediaries and instead prioritise government-to-government agreements which provide greater accountability and help avoid political or personal interests. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Anwar said the wasteful spending of the past had left the armed forces struggling with outdated equipment. 'Even ships from 1976 are still in service because we do not have enough vessels. Imagine that. Billions spent, but ships are lacking. 'Back then, I was still at Kamunting, and yet those ships are still being deployed today because there are no other ships available. This is a lesson for us.' Anwar said future procurements must involve proper negotiations, strict cost scrutiny and expert evaluation. The outcry over outdated assets has reached the highest level, with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia warning against putting servicemen in 'flying coffins'. Speaking at the Rejimen Gerak Khas 60th anniversary parade last week, the King reminded the Defence Ministry not to repeat past procurement blunders, citing the ill-fated Skyhawk aircraft deal, and urged greater transparency to prevent middlemen from inflating costs. Anwar said Malaysia's defence budget had risen from RM3 billion in 2020 to RM5 billion in 2024 in response to mounting geopolitical threats. He cited the military build-up by the Philippines and the United States in southern Philippines, reportedly triggered by Chinese activity in the South China Sea. On internal security concerns, Anwar cited recent incidents, including of a syndicate involving senior Malaysian Armed Forces officers leaking operational information. He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) uncovered bribery ranging from RM30,000 to RM50,000 per trip in that case. 'These are serious national security issues which I am treating with utmost priority. A comprehensive investigation into alleged leaks within the military's intelligence apparatus is already underway. 'If there are groups, akin to cartels, profiting by selling confidential information, this is a grave matter for the nation. 'Let a preliminary investigation be carried out. I have already briefed the Royal Malaysian Air Force chief and the relevant parties, including the Intelligence Division director. 'I am awaiting the initial report but we will not cover up anything. If we begin compromising on breaches within our intelligence apparatus, it would be disastrous for the country.' Separately, Anwar addressed corruption allegations involving Sabah state assemblymen. Responding to Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee's question on why only two out of eight individuals implicated were charged, Anwar said MACC would only proceed with cases that are 'substantive in facts and law'. He said video or voice recordings alone are insufficient without corroborative evidence. He added that according to MACC, those who were charged are the ones against whom it is confident there is sufficient evidence and legal basis, not mere hearsay.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Vietnam's petrol bike bans set stage for major market shake-up
With nearly 80 million motorbikes registered nationwide, the race is on to determine which companies will benefit most from Vietnam's electrification drive. — Vietnam News HANOI: Hanoi announces plans to ban petrol-powered motorbikes within Ring Road 1 starting July 1, 2026, while Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) aims to phase out 400,000 petrol-powered ride-hailing bikes from early 2026. With nearly 80 million motorbikes registered nationwide, the race is on to determine which companies will benefit most from Vietnam's electrification drive. On the ground, electric motorbikes are already widely available. In HCM City, a shop on Vo Thi Sau Street offers models priced between 18 million dong to 25 million dong, excluding a three-million-dong registration fee. Buyers can choose between lead-acid batteries, common in entry-level bikes and lithium batteries, which are preferred in higher-end models. The segment's roots trace back to 2013, with Chinese brands like Yadea and Dibao. Before VinFast entered the market in 2018 with its Klara scooter, most models were low-powered and slow, requiring no license, and the market was tiny compared to petrol bikes. By 2020, VinFast led the market with a 43.4% share, far ahead of Pega (15.7%), Dibao (11.8%), Yadea (8.6%) and Anbico (8.3%), according to the HCM City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS). With Vietnam now home to 77 million registered motorbikes, 770 for every 1,000 people, the potential for growth is enormous. Government policies are accelerating production and adoption, and industry competition is already fierce. Experts said consumer priorities will ultimately determine the winners. Dr Nguyen Son of RMIT University Vietnam noted that price, quality and design drive sales more than policy. 'Vietnam's electric vehicle (EV) boom could attract large-scale investment in smart vehicle systems, advanced batteries and support services.' he said. Honda Vietnam has contacted HIDS to learn more about the city's roadmap. The company is exploring mass production of electric motorbikes and has begun testing demand by offering rentals at 1.47 million dong (US$57) per month. Another Japanese manufacturer, Yamaha, introduced its NEO's scooter to Vietnam in late 2022, the first Asian market to receive the model, signalling strategic interest. Former National Assembly Economic Committee member Nguyen Ngoc Bao said domestic players like VinFast currently enjoy an edge, thanks to sales strategies and charging networks. However, with Vietnam's open economy and green transport targets, powerful foreign brands like Honda and Yamaha are likely to compete strongly. He rejected the notion that current policies favour any one firm, pointing out that restrictions on polluting two-wheelers have been discussed for over 20 years, long before VinFast entered the market. Only now, with incomes nearing US$5,000 per capita and infrastructure in place, is the country ready to support meaningful change. If anything, Honda and Yamaha have had ample time to adjust their production lines, given their established market positions and capital. According to MotorCycles Data, Vietnam's two-wheeler market grew 19% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching 1.6 million units. Honda and Yamaha saw sales rise by 6.2% and 20% respectively, while VinFast's electric motorbike sales surged 501%, maintaining its lead in the rapidly expanding segment. Yadea followed with 37.5% growth, ahead of Dibao, Pega, and others. — Viet Nam News/ANN
