SHANGHAI • Chinese cinemagoers now have to sit through a short clip promoting "core socialist values" and President Xi Jinping's "Chinese dream" political credo before the show starts - and some aren't happy about it.

Authorities enlisted action star Jackie Chan and domestic film idols as part of the public-service adverts, which have been ordered shown at cinemas in China since July 1 and last a few minutes apiece, state media said.

Four videos were made under the title series The Glory And The Dream - Our Chinese Dream, borrowing from Mr Xi's vision of a revitalised China, and were an initiative of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said the official Beijing Youth Daily.

"The purpose is to help people better understand and accept the (ruling communist) party's principles and policies," it added.

The state-aligned Global Times quoted one of the videos as saying: "No matter what you do, as long as you respect the country, our society, our nation and our family, you are helping us to realise the Chinese dream."

"Many came late for the movie just to avoid the short video and others complained about the video after watching the movie," the Global Times quoted one cinema employee as saying.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE