Hong Kong entertainment conglomerate Emperor Group opened a flagship cinema in Beijing on Friday, signaling confidence in the Chinese film market while aiming to boost cultural exchanges.

(From left to right) Zhang Yimou, Jackie Chan, Albert Yeung and Feng Xiaogang pose for a photo at the grand opening ceremony of a new Emperor cinema in Beijing, Feb. 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Emperor Group]

The cinema is located in Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a trendy shopping area in the capital known for international brands. This marks Emperor Cinemas' second Beijing location, following its existing venue at the Emperor Group Centre.

The grand opening was attended by Albert Yeung, chairman of Emperor Group; Fu Ruoqing, chairman of China Film Group; Mani Fok, chief executive officer of Emperor Entertainment (Beijing) Limited; and Ma Zedan, general manager of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, along with top executives from Swire Properties. The event drew a star-studded lineup of guests, including acclaimed film directors Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang and Guan Hu, as well as renowned actors Jackie Chan, Ge You, Zhang Guoli, Nicholas Tse and Liu Yase.

Executives of Emperor Group and partners, as well as star-studded guests, pose for a photo at the grand opening ceremony of a new Emperor cinema in Beijing, Feb. 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Emperor Group]

Yeung emphasized his company's confidence in the Chinese film market during the grand opening. The high-end cinema, equipped with advanced projection technologies like Imax and Dolby, has operated in a soft opening phase since late last year, consistently attracting sizable audiences. Attendance surged during the recent Spring Festival holiday when "Ne Zha 2" broke records to become the highest-grossing film of all time in China and the highest-grossing animated film ever worldwide.

The company says the cinema will serve as more than just a venue for watching films by functioning as a platform for cultural exchange. The facility plans to host movie premieres, director meet-and-greets, and fan gatherings to promote the dissemination and exchange of film culture, making cinema more accessible to broader audiences.

The Beijing location features Emperor's new dining brand, Cinebites, allowing moviegoers to enjoy food options without leaving the venue. Spanning 6,076 square meters, the facility houses seven screening halls, accommodating up to 1,001 guests.

Albert Yeung and movie star Nicholas Tse perform the "dotting the lion's eyes" ritual at the grand opening ceremony of a new Emperor cinema in Beijing, Feb. 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Emperor Group]

Han Zhi, director of retail at Swire Properties, stated that Taikoo Li Sanlitun has long been committed to providing high-quality social and entertainment experiences. He added that the addition of Emperor Cinemas would enhance cultural offerings across Beijing's Sanlitun commercial district.