China's box office had a record breaking year in 2012, earning 16.8 billion yuan to become the highest grossing year ever.

This is part of a trend of rapid growth in the industry.

Yearly totals have grown rapidly in recently years, with 2011 taking 13.1 billion yuan and a jump from 4.8 billion to 10 billion from 2008 to 2010.

In 2012 the foreign film quota increased from 20 to 34, with the extra 14 devoted to bringing in 3D or Imax formatted films.

For the first time in four years foreign films contributed to more than half of box office revenues, taking just over 8.8 billion yuan.

But of the 303 films shown in Chinese theatres last year, domestic films accounted for three quarters of the total.

However it was hugely popular low budget Chinese comedy, Lost in Thailand, that was the highest grossing film in 2012 and has earnt a record breaking one billion yuan.

(CRIENGLISH.com January 4, 2012)