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Han Sanping, topper of the state-backed China Film Group, has hailed the performance of the country's film biz, saying revenues have grown by 25% a year for the past five years.

That comes as data from the media regulator shows the December-to-February ban on Hollywood movies boosted the domestic biz.

"The growth is exciting and proves the success of China's movie development strategy," Han told the official Xinhua news agency, without revealing actual numbers.

Zhang Hongsen, an exec with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said the December-to-February B.O. notched up 785 million yuan ($110 million) for local pictures and just $7 million for foreign pictures.

Covering the two biggest moviegoing times of the year, Christmas and Chinese New Year, Xinhua called the period "showtime for China's New Year blockbusters."

But as no significant releases of foreign movies were allowed, foreign distributors refer to it a blackout.

The four big December-to-February B.O. hits were "Assembly" ($36.4 million), "Warlords" ($30.8 million,), "CJ7" ($25.9 million) and "Kung Fu Dunk" ($16.8 million).

Despite film outstripping double-digit economic growth in the broader economy, Han said China's movie industry still has a way to go to catch up with international companies in terms of distribution, production and sales.

The government-controlled CFG dominates the biz in China, controlling production, distribution and pretty much all other areas.