Since China had already allowed its annual quota of 20 foreign films to be distributed during 2009, Avatar had to wait until Monday to be released -- but it nevertheless opened with a bang (by Chinese standards). The movie earned $4.8 million at 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters, according to the state-run film importer China Film Group. A publicist for the state-run distributor told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he believes the movie will break the current Chinese box-office record, set earlier this year by 2012. "I think it has very good momentum, he said.