STORY: Chinese state media has said one of China's top officials met with Disney CEO Bob Iger in Beijing on Friday (January 9).
It's as Disney tries to strengthen its foothold in the world's second-largest economy amid U.S.-China tensions.
The country's vice premier has encouraged Iger to invest further in China.
It's a shift from Beijing's threat last April that it would further restrict imports of Hollywood films in response to U.S. tariffs.
China's $19 trillion economy presents a complicated business proposition for U.S. film studios.
The country's young, affluent urban middle class offers a lucrative audience for theme parks.
But for three decades, Beijing has capped Hollywood imports at just 10 films a year.
And that potentially constrains interest in the franchises that drives consumers to the parks.
Iger built out Disney's media empire through high-profile acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel and the Star Wars franchise.
Analysts estimate Hollywood films account for only 5% of overall box office receipts in China's markets.
Still, Disney and Universal Studios have both opened theme parks in Shanghai and Beijing, respectively.
Iger's visit is likely to again drive speculation the entertainment giant has plans to open a second amusement park in the country.
