US-owned UltraStar Cinemas and China’s Letian Entertainment have formed a joint venture to develop and operate theatres in China.

The companies said they were on track to complete construction on three cinemas by the end of the year and plan to build an additional 40 by the end of 2016.

The digital, 3D-capable venues will be located in the Changsha area of the Hunan province and comprise approximately 10 screens each and encompass conventional and alternative content programming.

Letian is a subsidiary of Hunan Broadcasting Station.