Chinese poster of Inception. [China.org.cn]

"There are only about five foreign IMAX movies being introduced to China each year," Liu said. Inception is the latest import, its IMAX version, premiering Wednesday in China.

For the rest of the time, according to Liu, the theater just shows regular movies on a huge screen, with ticket prices the same as a regular theater. Standard movies useless than half size of an IMAX screen, because of their defi nition.

"It is impossible to regain the cost [of building an IMAX theater] in the short term," Liu added. "But it is something that a high-standard cinema must have to be there for the audience."

According to Liu, an IMAX screen costs around 2 million yuan ($294,000) and the projector for an IMAX movie around 10 million yuan ($1.5 million), making the cost of an IMAX theater at least fi ve times higher than a regular one. The theater also has to pay IMAX Corporation to maintain their facilities.

"The IMAX screen has to make at least 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) a year in order to make ends meet," she added. "It is half year's income of a regular cinema."

Liu admitted that the IMAX market is expanding in China, but building more IMAX theaters at a rapid pace, may cost the industry quality. She said that some operators may be tempted to cut corners, such as screen size.