‘Avatar’ director urges China to let in films

BEIJING (AP) — Hollywood director James Cameron urged China to open its doors to more foreign films, arguing it would boost the local cinema industry after the WTO ruled Beijing was illegally restricting movie and other media imports.

In Beijing to promote his latest sci-fi extravaganza, “Avatar,” Cameron said Wednesday that China’s breakneck economic growth meant it no longer needed measures to protect its film industry. The Chinese government limits the number of Hollywood films to 20 a year. On Monday, a World Trade Organization panel upheld a ruling that China was obstructing trade by forcing foreign suppliers to distribute movies through state-owned companies.