The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the second film of the Hobbit series, started screening in China from Feb 21.

The movie, adapted from J.R.R Tolkien's novel created in 1937, depicts home-loving hobbit Bilbo Baggins' adventure through wilderness and his quest for treasure guarded by a dragon called Smaug. The Chinese market contributed about one-third of the global box office of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first film of the franchise. In the first 10 days of its screening in China last February, it made 250 million yuan ($39 million). The new film's major attractions are actors Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Benedict Cumberbatch, the voice of Smaug. The two are popular in China for starring in the British TV drama Sherlock. The latest installment topped the box office in North America and France in December.

China's quota of imported films from Hollywood remains unchanged at 34 this year, according to an official from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.