Section 691: New Trade Agreements

At Beijing International Airport, Charles Capet and Gao Yuanyuan took Evelyn Capet and her party to the plane. 

In the evening, at Gao Yuanyuan's Kunming Lake Villa, Charles held the girl in his arms as they lay in the bathtub, "The Avengers is about to be released. You guys need to cooperate with the promotion, right?"

"Yeah, Universal has always collaborated with Red Fruit. This time the promotion is huge," Gao Yuanyuan lay on Charles's chest, "The Avengers is raking in box office globally; we can't leave out the Chinese market!"

"Hmm." Charles then lowered his head and kissed the girl in his arms.

"Phew," Gao Yuanyuan, blushing, said after the kiss, "I heard Tai Chi is in preparation, with a $60 million investment from Universal, directed by Stephen Chow. Is it confirmed?"

"Yeah, it's confirmed. You saw the performance of The Green Hornet. Not bad, right?" Charles was always confident in Stephen Chow and naturally wanted to push it forward.

"Is Anne Hathaway still the lead actress?"

"Not sure. Initially, we did consider Anne Hathaway, but with Stephen Chow's current script, the producers think Kristen Stewart might be a good fit, since the role requires a bit of a rebellious girl," Charles didn't hide anything.

"Besides, Kristen Stewart has become a global sensation with the Twilight series over the past few years! Do you want to act?" Charles asked with a smile.

"What do you think, even if I'm not the lead, I could still take a supporting role," Gao Yuanyuan blinked.

"There's no script yet. You also appeared in Transformers 3, and those bit parts aren't really worth chasing, are they?" Charles asked, surprised.

"No, it's just that having that Hollywood experience feels different, of course being the lead would be best, or at least an important role!" Gao Yuanyuan knew her current situation wasn't about competing for roles; it was just a bit of vanity talking.

"How about a bit part in Marvel movies, would you like that?" Charles chuckled.

"Forget it. I am indeed taking fewer roles now. Lin Chi-ling could make appearances in Hollywood films a few times," Gao Yuanyuan was shifting towards capital now. Playing around with movies was fine, but spending too much time preparing for roles wasn't feasible.

"Once the script is done by the end of the year, we'll start officially casting. Let's see how it goes," this kind of thing was easy for Charles. With his status, arranging a few roles was effortless, not even needing to say a word!

"Great..." Gao Yuanyuan said as she hugged Charles's head and kissed him. She hadn't had much chance to be intimate with Charles while accompanying his mother, Evelyn, recently!

...

After staying in Beijing for a few more days, Charles flew to Shanghai in mid-August.

In last year December, the Shanghai Universal Studios Resort had started its official above-ground construction. After demolishing the original buildings, excavating farmlands, and leveling the land, followed by equipment entering the site, the planning road area of the resort was now done. The entire Universal Studios site was a huge construction site!

Machines, construction workers, and various materials gathered there.

"At the latest, we can open in 2015. Maybe even in the latter half of 2014," listening to the person in charge's introduction, Charles stroked his chin, feeling quite excited!

...

Shanghai, Jiuting Villa in Pudong New Area.

Liu Yifei was leaning against Charles Capet, as they watched news.

"Charles, aren't those 10 million Prada shares too valuable?" Liu Yifei had come to Shanghai specifically for this conversation, taking a break from filming Painted Skin 3.

"Just keep them. Prada stocks are only going to rise. It feels good to have money, doesn't it?" Charles smiled and gently stroked her face. "I heard you have a new movie coming out later this year?"

Liu Yifei nodded. "It's a romance movie about getting over a breakup, releasing on November 11th, Singles' Day. We picked that date on purpose!"

"November 11th, Singles' Day, very fitting," Charles said, leaning down to kiss Liu Yifei.

She responded passionately, and when the kiss ended, Charles stroked her thigh and asked, "How much longer do you need to film Painted Skin 3?"

"Well, we'll finish filming in November. We only started shooting in late June," Liu Yifei said, wrapping her arms around Charles's neck. "Why? Do you have something in mind?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to take you on a vacation abroad," Charles said, slipping his hand under her shirt and kissing her neck.

"Let's go to Europe for a vacation after Painted Skin 3," Charles suggested.

"Okay," Liu Yifei agreed, and Charles carried her straight into the bedroom...

...

At the U.S. consulate in Shanghai, Charles was there to understand the Sino-American trade negotiations.

Shanghai Consul General Beatrice Kang had been there since 2009, serving as the chief business consul.

"We in Hollywood don't care much about other trade partnerships, but movie imports between China and the U.S. really matter," Charles said, sipping his coffee.

"You can see it too; the revenue split in China is unreasonable. Internationally, the norm for producers, distributors, and cinemas is 35:17:48. Besides North America and some other inaccessible markets, the same ratio applies to every country. But Hollywood movies reap too little profit in China!"

Beatrice Kang nodded in agreement. "Charles, don't worry, our new trade agreement negotiations with China are progressing smoothly. Hollywood's entertainment industry is a key focus, and China has agreed in principle to increase the number of imported films and the revenue share for the producers!"

Beatrice paused and then reminded Charles, "But regarding following international norms, you need to understand that it's impossible here. China is not like America. It's not a free-market economy, and they wouldn't allow a large-scale entry of Hollywood movies. The revenue split ratio will be increased, of course!"

Beatrice knew MPAA had lobbied many congressional members, and with China's emerging market, Hollywood's interest was obvious. However, total market openness from China was not going to happen.

Charles directly asked, "When can we expect a formal document?"

"This..." Beatrice hesitated. "Early next year, an important Chinese official will visit the U.S. to sign the agreement," Beatrice eventually disclosed, knowing that Charles's influence made it unnecessary to hide anything.

"Will the number of Hollywood imported revenue-sharing films and the revenue ratio double?" Charles frowned as he asked.

The 2002 agreement allowed 20 films with a 13% revenue share!

"Double?" Beatrice shook her head, a bit helplessly. "China agrees to add 15 IMAX 3D blockbuster films. As for the revenue-sharing ratio, 25% is the highest they are willing to offer."

Charles tapped the table, "So starting from next year, the number of foreign revenue-sharing films in China will reach 35 movies with 25% of the revenue, which is indeed nearly double the previous rate!"

No surprise, at least 30 of them would be handled by Hollywood, the remaining few by politically necessary countries!

"Alright, I understand. I think MPAA can accept this ratio," Charles said, shaking hands with Beatrice. Compared to the Sino-American Movie Import Agreement ten years ago, the new one represented significant progress.

Among MPAA's seven major members, Universal currently held the largest market share, making its voice influential!

"Boss, where to next?" After leaving the consulate, assistant Amelia asked.

"Universal Studios Japan in Osaka," Charles casually instructed after getting in the car. "Phyllis is already in Osaka, right?"

"Yes, she is!"

Phyllis Jones always made sure Charles's inspection trips were well arranged...

*****

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