Looks like it's to protect domestic Chinese films, as the 3-D version is still playing in theaters.<p>Alternate point of view:<p>"According to a report in the Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, the move was made at the urging of propaganda officials who are concerned that "Avatar" is taking too much market share from Chinese films and drawing unwanted attention to the sensitive issue of forced evictions."<p>Apparently only 20 foreign movies are allowed to be shown in Chinese theaters every year.<p>Regardless of the reasons, it's still a very fenced-in society.
Anyone who wants to see Avatar (or any western movie) in China can just plunk down the 9-10 yuan (<$1.50) for a (probably pretty decent) bootleg DVD that can be found in just about any marketplace. I'm sure this is mostly for posturing and perhaps economic reasons. I'm sure they sometimes do these things just to remind people that they're there and that they can, even if the people there aren't overly impressed or bothered by it.<p>My inlaws in China probably watch more American movies than I do and I have netflix.
I think these recent signs of heightened sensitivity by the Chinese censor is actually a good sign. Are they panicking because it is impossible to turn the information tide?
So? China is not a capitalist country or a free market country, and they are under no obligation to enable an American company profit for as long as it wants. Most of the money being taken in by Avatar comes from normal chinese people, and is sent straight to America. A controlled market economy is supposed to keep this outflow of cash controlled.<p>It's a different economic model being practised in China, and this move is perfectly in line with the stated goals of the model.<p>Nobody loses, it's just an American Multinational that does not profit as much.