In the wake of recent Chinese success at the Academy Awards, an official announced that China's film industry will adopt an increasingly international approach during the nation's 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-05).
The pledge was made by Liu Jianzhong, director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, at a national seminar on film-making which came to a close March 28.
According to Liu, China plans to implement a "go-out" program with regard to its film-making industry in the next five years.
Under the program, the country will sponsor five Chinese film festivals annually, exposing a total of 50 domestically made films to international audiences, Liu said.
A team responsible for overseas marketing will also be set up to find effective ways to sell Chinese films to overseas markets through international cooperation.
Between 1996 and 2000, Chinese films won 82 prizes at 58 international film festivals, and sales of Chinese films in overseas markets stood at 115 million yuan (US$13.86 million).
Liu said that, over the next five years, overseas investors will continue to be encouraged to invest in upgrading existing Chinese cinemas and in shooting films on cooperative terms.
(Xinhua 03/29/2001)