China now regulates the distribution of Duanju

Since February 2025, the Chinese state has imposed a strict regulatory framework on duanju , these vertical micro-series that have become massively popular. The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) requires that no micro-drama be put online without a license number or official registration.

Behind this tightening lies a growing concern: the rise of content deemed provocative, sensationalist or contrary to the cultural values that the authorities wish to encourage.

Some series rely on greed, revenge, social humiliation, or extreme romantic intrigues to capture attention. Stories featuring domineering CEOs, extravagant success stories, or romantic manipulation are particularly targeted.

These ultra-short fictions, designed to trigger an immediate reaction, sometimes flirt with emotional triggers similar to those of gambling or shock videos. For the state, it's no longer just a matter of regulating an industry: it's a matter of limiting exposure to stories perceived as harmful to moral or social balance.

Major platforms like Tencent Video , iQIYI , and Kuaishou must now submit their content for approval. For creators, these rules redefine the contours of a format once perceived as free and unbridled.

Official Chinese sources

• Central Government , December 27, 2022

• People's Daily , November 27, 2024

• Sina Finance , February 5, 2025

• Xinhua , February 5, 2025

• NRTA , February 6, 2025

International sources

• Reuters , February 5, 2025

• Straits Times , February 5, 2025

• VOA Mandarin , February 5, 2025

• The World of Chinese , March 22, 2024

• Time Magazine , April 27, 2024