China earned about $100 million selling domestic screen productions overseas last year, says You Xiaogang, head of Chinese Television Drama Production Industry Association.

"That figure is the mere equivalent to the revenue of two popular TV series in China. That means there is still huge potential for Chinese dramas and movies overseas."

You, himself a television drama producer, believes the expansion of Chinese imports will also bring opportunities in the age of the internet.

Video-streaming sites have much larger capacity and more options for viewers than do television channels, which face one obvious hindrance: the clock.

Top streaming sites in the United States are now extremely interested in Chinese content and are in talks with Chinese companies about distribution deals, You says.

"With the rise of new media, new chances have sprung up, and this will reshape the overseas sales of videos produced in China."