Haikou, (TDI): China’s digital publishing industry surged to new heights in 2023, with the sector’s total market value reaching 1.618 trillion yuan (approximately $228.89 billion), reflecting a robust 19.08 percent year-on-year growth, according to an annual report released by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication (CAPP).
The report was presented at the 14th China International Digital Publishing Expo in Haikou, Hainan Province.
This rapid expansion underscores China’s continued dominance in the digital content market, with a particular emphasis on online literature, gaming, and animation.
By the end of 2023, the number of online literature readers in the country reached an unprecedented 537 million, demonstrating the growing appeal of digital content among Chinese audiences.
This surge in readership reflects broader changes in consumer behavior, with an increasing shift towards mobile platforms and e-books as preferred mediums for content consumption.
Global Interest
Chinese online literature has not only captured domestic interest but is also gaining significant traction internationally.
The report revealed that the global market for Chinese online literature exceeded 4 billion yuan, with content now available in over 200 countries and regions.
This growth is partly fueled by rising demand in Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe, where Chinese digital content, particularly in genres like fantasy and historical fiction, has found a broad audience.
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Chinese literature platforms have been actively expanding their global presence, offering translated versions of popular novels, web series, and comics to cater to international readers.
The global appetite for Chinese stories, driven by the success of genres such as wuxia (martial arts) and xianxia (fantasy involving Chinese mythology), has contributed significantly to this international market expansion.
A notable trend highlighted in the report is the integration of traditional Chinese culture into various forms of digital content.
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Wei Yushan, the head of CAPP, noted that traditional themes from Chinese history, folklore, and classical literature have become central to the development of digital media, including online literature, animation, and gaming.
This infusion of cultural heritage into modern formats is seen as a way to promote China’s cultural identity globally while also attracting younger audiences domestically.
