In Chinese TV drama, few writers can freely work on the topics that they prefer. Instead, the producers pick the topics. That's why we sometimes describe ourselves as "dancing in chains." Another problem is that Chinese screenwriters aren't financially secure.

"Our strategy is to make movies based on Chinese stories with Hollywood screenwriters and directors for global distribution," said NFC topper Wang Guowei.

Projects include Stan Lee's Chinese superhero pic "The Annihilator" and project based on Bruce Lee's last script "The Silent Flute."

"What the Chinese people lack is not money, but rather a manner of farsightedness," he said. "We have repeatedly split apart new roads for repair usually only one year after their completion. Besides, most of the bridges we are using are [safe to use] for no more than 20 years. This attitudes reflect [Chinese people’s attitudes] towards real life."

Blockbuster Chinese director Feng Xiaogang on Sunday unveiled the trailer for his upcoming film Remembering 1942, the 210 million yuan ($33 million) true story-based disaster epic that took 18 years to bring to the screen, at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Fifteen years ago, Jean-Jacques Annaud was demonized by the Chinese Communist Party for his film “Seven Years in Tibet” — the cadres were unhappy with his cinematic portrayal of the People’s Liberation Army’s invasion of the region in 1949. But a decade and a half on, the 68-year-old French director is being welcomed here with open arms.