Zhang Ming, an independent Chinese film director, told the Global Times that censorship might be justified due to its role in protecting national culture, but the system should be run in a fair and just way.

"People's choice of the films they watch is not supposed to be dictated by just a few people. A number of Hollywood blockbusters are far from enough to cater to the diverse tastes of the vast public," Zhang said, adding that "there needs to be a sound mechanism to import different films. The government is obliged to import various types of films from different ethnic backgrounds. Cultures do not compete. Instead, they fuse."

However Mei Xinyu, a MOFCOM trade expert, argued that "China's national interest is the most important factor that we have to bear in mind during international negotiations, especially those involving cultural aspects."

"Being an independent sovereign state, China's domestic law is of the highest priority. Any adjustment according to international law or treaty can only be implemented with the recognition of the Chinese government," Mei said.

More than 60 percent of more than 2,200 Internet users polled by huanqiu. com said they were in favor of maintaining the quota on importing foreign films, claiming that the cap is "helpful to avoid the excessive transmission of Western values in China and safeguarding the national film industry."

On the other side, 31 percent people disagreed, saying increased imports would diversify China's entertainment market.

(Global Times August 14, 2009)