27 February 2015
China will foster online literature sites to lead creative work toward a healthier and higher quality direction over the next three to five years, according to a guideline issued recently.
The guideline came in response to President Xi Jinping’s remarks on art in a key seminar in October.
Issued by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), the guideline said online literature has become an important part of the country’s digital publishing industry, gaining wide popularity among literature fans and young people.
However, online literature is filled with derivative, plagiaristic and stereotypical works that seek only economic benefits. The industry also faces incomplete supervision by authorities.
The guideline stressed that online literature should serve the Chinese readers. It should follow the trend of the society and respond to people’s demands. Social effects and values should be viewed as the priority.
The guideline added that writers must view the people as the center and subjects of their work. Publishers in the industry should focus on quality works with innovative ideas to strengthen the appeal of online literature.
The guideline also called for an administrative mechanism for writers, strengthened training in professional ethics, and a registry and inquiry system for online literature.
It encouraged state-owned publishing firms to publish online. It also said social capital should be allowed to invest in the industry, and China’s online literature should enter the international market.
The guideline put forward some measures to foster the industry, such as guiding the critics of online literature, establishing an assessment system, advancing new technology to promote online literature, strengthening copyright protection, and cracking down on pornography and other illegal content, as well as fiscal support to the industry.
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