CGTN poll: Chinese cinema as a window into China

The China Media Group (CMG) Film Culture Carnival was launched in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, on Wednesday. According to a survey conducted by CGTN and Renmin University of China through the New Era International Communication Research Institute, covering 12,302 respondents from 41 countries around the world, Chinese cinema has become an important window for the world to understand China.

In recent years, Chinese domestically produced films have diversified in genre and subject, covering areas such as comedy, martial arts, realism, animation and espionage, thereby catering to the preferences of different audience segments and presenting an authentic panorama of both traditional and contemporary China. In the survey, when respondents were asked about channels for accessing information on Chinese culture, "Chinese film and television works" ranked second, trailing only behind "social media." In the evaluation of Chinese cultural experiences, "watching Chinese film and television productions" ranked third, following "traveling to China" and "tasting Chinese cuisine."

In addition, 81.6% of respondents stated that the soft power and influence of Chinese culture are growing rapidly. 78.6% believed that Chinese culture holds strong appeal. 82.2% of respondents indicated that understanding traditional Chinese culture contributes to a better comprehension of China, and 77% of respondents noted that familiarity with Chinese popular culture is conducive to a better understanding of China. 64.9% expressed a positive assessment of Chinese film and television works in terms of preserving and innovating traditional culture.

As of Tuesday, China's total box office revenue for 2026 (including presales) has surpassed 12.5 billion yuan. The Chinese cultural elements featured in these films are becoming increasingly known and loved by overseas audiences, and Chinese cinema is playing an ever more important role in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. The survey indicates that the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China has garnered broad recognition among respondents worldwide: 70.1% of those surveyed stated that China is an important force in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. 70.6% expressed the view that Chinese civilization offers new ideas for global governance, and 70.3% believe that Chinese civilization and Chinese values hold significant relevance for developing countries, providing Chinese wisdom and solutions for global governance.

The survey was conducted online via a sample database, with the sample chosen in line with the age and gender distribution in national censuses, covering major developed countries and representative countries of the Global South.