A total of 2,060 people in 30 major cities will be interviewed, making the survey the largest of its kind in China.

The results will be key to the development of the country's struggling film industry.

Wu said the authority is determined to promote the "industrialization'' of film production, which has long been regarded as a way out of its current predicament.

The authority will take the results of the survey into full consideration when making decisions, such as whether to launch paid movie channels.

Another issue that the authority will consider is a film rating system, currently the subject of heated debate among both industry insiders and ordinary film-goers.

Proponents of a rating system say it will give film producers more scope when choosing topics, thus spurring the industry to produce more attractive and competitive movies.

Opponents are worried that a rating system might lead to the legalization of film with explicit sex or violence.

Wu denied speculation that a film rating system will be introduced to the Chinese mainland in the short term, adding that the film authority is still considering the feasibility of such a practice.

He confirmed that the mainland film market will open more widely to Hong Kong productions.

Under current regulations, no more than 20 movies a year can be imported from outside the mainland.

Under the new policy, which will be put into force on January 1 next year, there will be no limit on films from Hong Kong.

The new regulations will be far less strict when it comes to joint productions between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

For example, actors and actresses from the Chinese mainland have to account for at least 50 percent of the cast in a co-production under current regulations. The new regulation will lower the required mainland ratio to one-third.

(China Daily July 5, 2003)