Jallen (pseudonym), 19, has been pursuing his writing dream not in his hometown of Quebec, Canada, but on the other side of the globe, China.

His dream of becoming a writer was sparked three years ago when he read a Chinese novel for the first time. Now, that dream has come true. On a reading portal called WebNovel, his online literary works have been viewed millions of times.

Founded by China Literature Limited in 2017, WebNovel has attracted more than 90 million visitors to date, with about 610,000 overseas original online literary works.

Jallen attributes his achievement to the inexhaustible inspiration given by the Chinese online literary works.

"For overseas readers, the profound and long history of Chinese culture provides me with a unique reading experience. So my works are focused on the 'knight-errants in the world of martial arts' and 'cultivation systems.'"

An American reader, using the web name "Lester," wrote in the comment section: "The main character is cool. I will go to China to see kungfu in Shaolin Temple."

Writers attend the Global Authors Roundtable Conference of the 2nd Shanghai International Online Literature Week in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 6, 2023. (China Literature Limited/Handout via Xinhua)

GAINING STEAM

In recent years, online novels with distinctive Chinese features, characterized by imaginative story plots and a strong sense of immersion, have emerged as important ways for cross-cultural communication.

According to a report released by the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association in late 2023, the total revenue of China's online novel industry reached 31.78 billion yuan (about 4.47 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, up 18.94 percent year on year, with its overseas revenue accounting for 4.06 billion yuan during that period, an increase of 39.87 percent year on year.

Chinese online literary works have been translated into more than 20 languages, covering over 40 countries and regions in Southeast Asia, North America, Europe and Africa, the report said.

TV series adapted from online literary works, such as "The Journey of Flower" and "Empresses in The Palace," have gained popularity not only in China but also in Thailand, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, and the United States.

In 2022, the British Library expanded its collection to include 16 Chinese web novels, including "Great Doctor Ling Ran" and "Great Power, Heavy Industry."

"After 20 years of overseas development, China's online literature has fostered a substantial fanbase," said Hou Xiaonan, CEO of China Literature Limited. "Some insiders have listed it as one of the four cultural wonders of the world, alongside Hollywood blockbusters, Japanese animations, and idol dramas from ROK."

Overseas writers attend a cultural event organized by China Literature Limited in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 7, 2023. (China Literature Limited/Handout via Xinhua)

LENS TO UNDERSTAND CHINA

Bangladeshi writer Yazia has read more than 40 web novels with traditional Chinese elements. "Reading makes me better understand the romanticism and heroism in Chinese history and mythological stories, and brings me spiritual strength," she said.

"My father died when I was 16. Then, my family lost the financial resources. It was the strong and independent female roles in the Chinese web novels that helped me through the most difficult times," said Yazia who chose "Warrior" as her pen name.

Now, one of her popular web novels has been signed by a Chinese company, bringing a substantial income to support her studies at an American university.

Xianxia (immortal heroes) and Xuanhuan (fantasy featuring adventures and wars) were once the dominant genres for Chinese online literature to "go global," but science fiction, suspense dramas, and urban themes have grown in number and popularity in recent years, said Yang Ruizhi, chief operating officer of COL Group Co., Ltd, a company in China's digital cultural and creative sector.

"Some foreign authors even directly name their characters in Chinese, and high-speed trains and China's space station are frequently featured in the stories. Both the thematic settings and content are imbued with a strong Chinese flavor," Yang added.

The growing presence of Chinese online literature in overseas markets offers a new worldwide lens into understanding China, said Xiao Jinghong, a researcher at the online literature center of the China Writers Association.

"Today's world is more eager than ever to have a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic view of China," Xiao said.

Through the web novels, overseas readers could learn more about Chinese cultural elements and core values such as diligence, harmony and cooperation, as well as realize the different cultural origins and ways of thinking between China and the West, she added. 

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