Star Wars takes China's social media by storm

Biz buzz business: A Jedi ‘Lightsaber’ themed umbrella at an exhibition in Hong Kong. Online chatter won’t guarantee box office success in China for the film, which had a red-carpet premiere in Shanghai on Sunday and will go on general release in the mainland on Jan 9. — AFP

SHANGHAI: After a mammoth marketing campaign, growing online chatter in China around Star Wars: The Force Awakens suggests that the latest installment of the hit franchise has a shot at breaking box office records in the world’s second largest movie market.

China is crucial if Walt Disney Co’s first foray into the world of Jedi knights is to earn a spot among the top-grossing films of all time.