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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The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Actor Marcus Chin bleeds in mouth during live broadcast of charity show
Photo: Marcus Chin/Facebook Singaporean actor-host-DJ Marcus Chin (pic) shocked some viewers after he was seen bleeding in the mouth during a live charity show on June 29. The 71-year-old, who had a heart attack in October 2024, was the opening speaker of the Resilient Hearts: Singapore Heart Foundation 55th Anniversary Charity Show 2025. Blood was seen on his teeth and at the corners of his mouth while he was delivering his speech. Chin, who underwent two operations after the heart attack, said in an interview on June 30 that he had been taking two antiplatelet drugs since the heart surgery. He told Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao that he believed the bleeding was a side effect of the drugs. 'After taking the medicine, my gums would bleed from time to time, sometimes once or twice a week, especially when I am under a lot of pressure,' he said. 'I was the first one to appear at the beginning of the live show and had to memorise the script, so I felt a little stressed.' He said he realised he had bled only after he was asked about it by his relatives, friends and colleagues. 'We had rehearsals for two days before the show and everything was fine, but it happened during the live broadcast, which really annoyed me,' he added. Chin praised the cameraman for reacting swiftly after blood was seen in his mouth. 'The camera was supposed to take a close-up of my face, but the lens was quickly pulled away after blood was seen,' he said. Chin said that his attending cardiologist has advised him to seek treatment from a dentist to alleviate the situation. In addition to bleeding gums, his teeth also feel sore from time to time after he takes the medicine. 'It is now very tough for me to sing,' he said. 'It is difficult to sing high notes, especially when my gums are sore.' Chin said he has always been very careful with his diet, but added that he has no time to exercise due to his work schedule. He is a co-host on Love 972's radio programme The Breakfast Quartet, which has been nominated for Best Radio Programme at the Star Awards 2025 on July 6. He is also a nominee for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes. 'Before I was hospitalised for the heart attack, I controlled my diet, such as by eating durians occasionally and char kway teow only once in a long while,' he said. 'I'm also the type of patient who takes his medication regularly.' Chin said he would focus on looking after his health while pursuing his career in the future. 'I just suffered a heart attack less than one year ago,' he said. 'Maybe I really need to slow down, relax and not be too busy.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
China, Sabah pledge closer ties in tourism, culture, development
Zhu (right) and Liew discuss the enhancement of bilateral relations, among other matters of common interest. KOTA KINABALU (July 1): The new Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Zhu Xinglong, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew on Monday. Consul General Zhu said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of China and Malaysia, bilateral relations have reached a historic high, and the prospects for cooperation between the two countries are broad. 'China is Sabah's largest source of international tourists,' he said. The Consul General expressed willingness to work closely with the minister to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, and to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and Sabah in areas such as governance, civilisational dialogue, cultural industries, tourism and poverty alleviation, in a joint effort to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Liew warmly welcomed Zhu's assumption of office in Sabah and noted that China's rapid development in recent years is remarkable. She expressed her readiness to maintain close communication and coordination with the Consul General, learn from China's governance experience, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Sabah and China. 'Let us work together to usher in the next 'Golden 50 Years' of China-Malaysia relations,' she added. Also present were Deputy Consul General Xue Xiaoning and other officials, and Sabah Tourism Board Deputy Chief Executive Officer Tay Shu Lan. The Chinese Consulate General also expressed its willingness to further strengthen cooperation with the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah, with the shared aim of assisting local businesses in expanding into the Chinese market, establishing government-to-business dialogue platforms, promoting intergovernmental exchanges, and enhancing interactions in education, youth development and cultural engagement to create new momentum for bilateral collaboration. On Monday night, Zhu, accompanied by Xue and Consuls Fan Yichang, Liang Yutai and Wen Desi, held an in-depth exchange session with representatives of MCCC Sabah. The two sides engaged in extensive discussions on deepening bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and China, enhancing subnational and local-level connectivity, and promoting economic, trade and cultural exchanges. The exchange dinner was jointly facilitated by MCCC Sabah's Public Relations Officer Edmund Goh and Assistant Public Relations Officer Yong Wei Hau, in collaboration with the Chinese Consulate General, reflecting a high degree of mutual understanding and a shared vision for regional cooperation. Zhu noted that the Chinese government attaches great importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia. In particular, President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia in April 2025 marked the beginning of the 'Golden 50 Years' era in bilateral relations. During the visit, both countries signed multiple agreements covering trade, technology, agriculture, education, and culture, injecting new vitality into bilateral ties. He emphasized that Sabah occupies a key strategic position in the broader framework of Malaysia–China cooperation. In recent years, from palm oil exports to tourism services, Sabah's trade with China has seen steady growth, highlighting its vast potential. Datuk Dexter Lau, president of MCCC Sabah, shared that the chamber remains committed to its guiding principle of 'communication, cooperation, and mutual benefit,' and will continue to lead its member enterprises to actively participate in various levels of Malaysia–China collaboration. Over the coming months, the Chamber has planned a series of exchange visits to China — including trips to Chongqing, Yunnan University, Zhengzhou in Henan Province and Xinjiang — to attend economic forums, engage in business matchmaking, and explore cooperative opportunities, with the aim of expanding business prospects and integrating cross-border resources. He also expressed hope that the Chinese Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu would continue leveraging its networks and resources to support the Chamber, assist its members in expanding into the Chinese market, connect with potential partners, and gain access to strategic platforms — ultimately helping Sabah entrepreneurs, particularly the Chinese business community, to grow stronger and enhance their overall competitiveness and visibility. This exchange dinner not only highlighted the Consulate's strong commitment to supporting MCCC Sabah but also injected fresh impetus into strengthening strategic cooperation between China and Malaysia. Both sides agreed on the need to maintain close communication, promote practical cooperation mechanisms, and enable Sabah to play an even more active bridging role under the evolving framework of Malaysia–China relations — working together to achieve more high-quality collaborative outcomes. Also present at the event were MCCC Sabah representatives, including Life Honorary Adviser Datuk Lau Kok Sing, Honorary Adviser Dato' Soh Poh Soon, former president Datuk Michael Chin, Deputy President Kapitan Dr Callee Tan, Vice President Lau Jiin Woei, Vice President Loius Su, Treasurer Shawn Tan, Deputy Treasurer Tommy Lo, Women Entrepreneurs Committee (WEC) Committee Members Angelina Zhang and Liu Li Rong, as well as members Datuk Lim Su Chung, Dr Wong Tze Sheng, Dexter Yeh, Bernard Chu and Douglas Chong.
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Auto industry poised for subdued growth
PETALING JAYA: The automotive sector appears set for a more subdued 2025, with total industry volume (TIV) projected to normalise after last year's record high. Analysts expected a mixed outlook, shaped by softening consumer sentiment, rising competition, and policy uncertainty, but supported in part by new model launches and ongoing infrastructure development. BIMB Research revised its 2025 TIV forecast downwards to 790,000 units, a 2.5% cut from its earlier estimate of 810,000 units. It noted that the adjustment was prompted by weaker-than-expected momentum in the first quarter of 2025 (1Q25), attributed to soft consumer sentiment and lingering uncertainty over the timing of RON95 subsidy rationalisation. However, BIMB Research pointed to a potential sequential recovery in the second half of the year, underpinned by promotional activities, longer working days, and stable loan approval rates. Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB Research) projected a sharper decline, expecting TIV to fall to 750,000 units in 2025, down 8.2% year-on-year, compared to the Malaysian Automotive Association's (MAA) forecast of 780,000 units. HLIB Research remarked that current order backlogs have further dwindled in 2Q25 and this is expected to continue softening in subsequent quarters as consumer sentiment weakens in tandem with a slower economic outlook as well as petrol subsidy rationalisation in the second half of 2025 (2H25). The sector's performance in 1H25 reflected these trends. According to MAA, TIV in May 2025 rose 12.4% month-on-month to 68,000 units, driven by normalised working days after the April festive holidays. However, on a year-on-year basis, sales fell 3.2%, contributing to a 5% decline in year-to-date volume to 316,700 units. This was largely attributed to easing consumer sentiment following the record 816,700 units achieved in 2024. BIMB Research said it saw structural support for the sector from 'new model launches, rising electric vehicle (EV) popularity, and infrastructure buildout'. Key launches expected in the second half included Perodua's eMO battery electric vehicle, Proton's facelifted X50 and new Saga, and Honda's refreshed Civic. Chinese brands were also stepping up, with Chery's iCAUR electric sports utility vehicles set for an Asean debut in the third quarter and TQ Wuling planning a mass-market electric vehicle (EV) below RM100,000 by year-end. BIMB Research noted: 'This strong pipeline across ICE and EV segments is expected to drive demand and refresh the competitive landscape.' Both BIMB Research and HLIB Research maintained a 'neutral' stance on the sector. BIMB Research cautioned that the sector's recovery is expected to be uneven due to elevated borrowing costs, fragile supply chains, and pricing pressure from Chinese manufacturers. Similarly, HLIB Research said earnings were likely to fall in 2025 on the back of lower sales volume and higher operating costs (aggressive sales campaigns), but partially cushioned by the strengthening of the ringgit. On the EV front, BIMB Research highlighted that 'EV adoption will continue to expand structurally, particularly as the current completely built units import tax exemption is set to expire at the end of 2025'. It forecasts EV market share could reach up to 4% by year-end, driven by broader model offerings and stronger national brand participation. Still, achieving the government's 10,000 public charger target by end-2025 remained challenging, with monthly installations needing to average 730 units. The looming revision of the open market value-based excise duty for completely knocked down vehicles in January 2026 could spur frontloaded purchases in late 2025. BIMB Research noted that any delay or adjustment in the policy could 'further sustain demand momentum in 2H25'.
