London, Dec 24 (ANI): Filmmaker James Cameron has urged Chinese government to ease its restrictions on the number of foreign films allowed to be screened a year, insisting that ‘opening the doors’ to the outside film industries would actually boost the country’s standing in the global movie market rather than diminish it.

China protects native filmmakers by only allowing 20 Hollywood blockbusters into cinemas every year - meaning the citizens only get to see a limited amount of foreign films.

However, the Titanic director has called on officials in China to relax their strict limitations on Hollywood films - insisting big budget pictures will help boost the country’s own movie industry.

“China’s economy is expanding very, very rapidly. And I think the feeling right now is that perhaps it doesn’t need to be protecting itself quite as much. Chinese filmmakers are very strong… they’re highly respected,” the Daily Express quoted him as telling the reporters at the Beijing press conference for his new film ‘Avatar’.

“I think that by opening the doors in China to other filmmakers, it will raise the entire film industry in China. It will get people more excited, there will be more seats, more cinemas, more excitement about the cinema-going experience, which will also raise the Chinese filmmakers’ ability to play their films,” he added. (ANI)