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The official newspaper, citing experts, predicted around a
dozen films could be added to the current annual quota of 34
imported movies, while foreign producers would get closer to the
40 percent of ticket revenues they receive in other overseas
markets. That would be up from the current 25 percent.
The Global Times, a tabloid more commonly known for writing
strongly-worded, hawkish and nationalist editorials, is
published by the ruling Communist Party's flagship paper.
Hollywood has been pushing for more foreign firms to be screened
in Chinese theaters ahead of key talks this year to review the
current five-year agreement, signed in February 2012.
Hollywood executives have voiced hopes China will increase the
quota and the share of revenues more in line with international
markets. But talks have been clouded by the inauguration of U.S.
President Donald Trump, who has openly criticized China on trade
and the sensitive issue of Taiwan.
Trump, in a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on
Friday morning China time, gave Hollywood a potential boost when
he softened his stance on Taiwan and agreed to honor the
longstanding "one China" policy.
China's cinema ticket sales slowed last year, rising 3.2 percent
against the year before to 45.3 billion yuan ($6.6 billion),
according to data from box office tracker EntGroup. That
compared to nearly 50 percent growth in 2015.
However, the market is becoming increasingly important for U.S.
producers from Walt Disney Co to Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros.,
helping add $1.8 billion in ticket sales to Hollywood's 20
highest-grossing films in 2016.
(Reporting by Adam Jourdan)
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