China's online literature tops 33 mln, expands global reach

HEFEI, July 30 (Xinhua) -- China's online literature industry continued to grow in both scale and global influence in 2025, with the total number of online literary works exceeding 33 million and the overseas readership reaching about 250 million, according to a report released on Thursday.

The figures were announced during the 2026 China Online Literature Forum hosted by the Chinese Writers Association (CWA) in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province.

By the end of 2025, the industry had attracted over half a billion readers in total and exported more than 130,000 online literary works to overseas markets. Last year, it gained 40 million new overseas registered users, with active users spanning more than 200 countries and regions, said the report.

Data showed that overseas platforms for online literature and related micro dramas had a combined daily active user base of 60 million, generating more than 8 billion yuan (about 1.2 billion U.S. dollars) in overseas revenue.

In 2025, the industry saw continued innovation and improved quality, with genres such as realistic fiction, science fiction and fantasy delivering more high-quality works, the report noted.

"With compelling storylines, distinctive characters and imaginative settings, Chinese online literature has resonated across different cultures and gained popularity worldwide," said He Hong, director of the CWA's online literature center. ■