Understanding and respecting culture is a central pillar of building strong relations between nations. Movies and music are the easiest way for one society to get to know about another. But the Chinese Communist Party has long viewed such imports from the West, especially from the United States, as cultural imperialism and severely restricted their availability. Rethinking the policy and opening the door to such entertainment would go a way towards improving relations.
It is a matter of mindset that, despite China's growing influence and global reach, authorities have made plain they are not ready to accept. President Hu Jintao, in a January essay in the party's magazine, Seeking Truth, warned that the leadership must not loosen its grip on the nation's culture because 'the international hostile forces are stepping up strategic attempts to westernise China'.
Fears that Chinese culture will be diluted by Western influences have consumed the party, being grounded in the outrages committed by foreign imperialists in the 19th century. It is why the state-run China Film Group for so long restricted the number of foreign movies that cinema audiences could see to 20 a year - and even then, the films were carefully chosen and censored. That marginally changed under a deal brokered with the leader-in-waiting, Vice-President Xi Jinping, during a visit to the US in February. The quota was relaxed to allow an extra 14 films using either IMAX or 3-D technologies, along with their standard formats, to be shown. Separately, DreamWorks Animation, which was behind the highest-ever grossing foreign animated film on the mainland, Kung Fu Panda 2, announced a landmark agreement to build a production studio in Shanghai with some of China's biggest media companies. With US box office revenues falling and those on the mainland booming, Hollywood studios are eager for a slice of the US$2.1 billion market. One fallout from that growth is that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating claims that some American firms bribed Chinese officials to make and show movies.
Western culture is already big on the mainland, especially among young people. They are eager for the food, clothes, movies and music. KFC is the most popular restaurant chain and last year the Buick Excelle was the best-selling car. Hollywood claims it loses billions of dollars each year to Chinese piracy of its DVDs and illegal downloads. The films are being seen regardless of the restrictions.
Millions of Chinese travel overseas each year for leisure, work and study. Their exposure to other cultures and ideas broadens understanding and creativity. Bringing down the barriers on foreign movies and music will hasten that process for the good of all sides. Perceptions of China and its image will consequently benefit.