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Phoebe Zhang

China has called for more mini-dramas, documentaries, animations and foreign programmes to air on television to improve the quality of content.
The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) has released a set of measures, made public on Monday, launching a “content renewal plan” to improve innovation, the management of television series, content censorship and the promotion of programmes.
The document stressed that more support would be given to producing quality documentaries and animations, as well as “outstanding micro and short series to be broadcast on TV” and high-quality overseas programmes.
It added that efforts should be made to improve the legal framework and copyright protection for these programmes.
Mini-dramas and Chinese-produced animations have been taking over the market both domestically and abroad in recent months as authorities seek to expand China’s soft power overseas.
“Micro-dramas have become a new growth pillar for China’s online audio and video industry, with their influence abroad significantly increasing,” said NRTA director Cao Shumin in March at the China Internet Audio and Video Convention.
Mini-dramas, which first emerged in China in 2018, not long after the debut of TikTok, have been growing rapidly and have outperformed films in terms of revenue. By the end of last year, the number of users on Chinese micro-drama platforms had reached 662 million, a 7.3 per cent increase from the first half of the year, according to the China Netcasting Services Association.
In March, Ne Zha 2 became the world’s highest-grossing animated film of all time. State media have touted the film as an important step in improving China’s soft power.


Chinese authorities have been working to promote the industry, drive the domestic economy and expand China’s soft power overseas.
In a 2022 report, the NRTA said the expansion of Chinese TV dramas overseas had evolved, with production maturing as online streaming giants such as Tencent and iQiyi expanded their operations overseas after 2018.
Also in 2022, the Ministry of Commerce and 27 other government departments vowed to support the creation and export of films, TV dramas, documentaries, animations and variety shows.
In January, China’s cabinet, the State Council, issued policies to strengthen the cultural sector, including financial support for high-quality films and animation, and to expand the industry internationally.


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Beijing calls for more micro-dramas, documentaries, animations and foreign programmes, along with better copyright protections


Beijing calls for more micro-dramas, documentaries, animations and foreign programmes, along with better copyright protections.


China’s film industry

China launches plan to improve TV and mini-dramas amid soft power push

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing calls for more micro-dramas, documentaries, animations and foreign programmes, along with better copyright protections

Beijing calls for more micro-dramas, documentaries, animations and foreign programmes, along with better copyright protections