Feng Xiaogang's AFTERSHOCK has become the highest grossing Chinese film in the country's history, reports VARIETY. As of last weekend, the disaster flick has earned $78.6 million, breaking the previous record of $60 million made by 2009's FOUNDING OF A REPUBLIC.

The film follows the survivors of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed 240,000 people.

The film's opening day haul on July 22nd was $5.35 million, which is $30,000 more than AVATAR made in its debut in January.

Estimates state that China's 2010 box office will reach $1.5 billion, a 61% increase over last year.