China built 55 new cinemas with 272 new screens in 2005, most of which are modern multiplex, according to Tong Gang, director of the Film Bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

China has more than 3,000 specialized cinemas, among which 1,243 are multi-screen cinemas, with a total of 2,668 screens.  They belong to 36 cinema chains, said Tong.

Tong said that in 2005, 40 cinemas have reached a box office revenue of more than 1 million yuan (about US$123,000), increasing 11 percent over 2004. Among the 40, four have earned more than 30 million yuan (about US$3.7 million), two more than in the last year.

In addition, there are also approximately 35,000 rural migrant projection booths across the vast area of China's countryside.

The China Central Television (CCTV) broadcasts nine domestic and foreign films every day, distributed to more than 700 million Chinese TV audiences, said Tong.

Tong also said China has more than 100 film production companies by the end of 2005.