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China takes aim at micro dramas promoting ‘wealth-flaunting’, ‘distorted views’
China has launched a two-month campaign to clean up its massive micro drama industry, targeting violent, sexual and ‘wealth-flaunting’ content
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China’s booming micro-drama sector is facing intensifying regulatory scrutiny, as Beijing launches a two-month campaign to crack down on “harmful, lowbrow and pirated” content in the industry.
The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) said the clampdown would target eight types of content, including material harmful to children, sexually suggestive scenes, wealth-flaunting, “distorted” views on marriage and relationships, superstitions, violent revenge, sensationalist titles and copyright violations.
The aim is to “standardise the creation and dissemination of short dramas and foster a healthier industry environment”, the body announced on Wednesday.
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Micro dramas – also known as short dramas or vertical dramas – are fast-paced scripted shows divided into dozens of episodes that typically last just a few minutes.
Often shot in vertical format, the dramas have exploded in popularity in China over the past few years, with the industry’s revenues soaring from less than 1 billion yuan (US$148 million) in 2020 to 100 billion yuan in 2025, according to a report by Peking University’s National School of Development.
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The industry has also found success overseas, with Chinese-backed platforms such as ReelShort emerging as early leaders and attracting massive audiences for their hit productions.
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