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

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) 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 foreign 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.

South China Morning Post