Latest studies and data suggest the popularity of Chinese online literature is growing more than ever before, Yang Yang reports.

More than two decades ago, few high-brow readers in China took online literature seriously as the bar for publishing online was so low that anyone could be a writer, not to mention the prevalent melodramatic genres such as romance, fantasy and time travel.

However, given the current numbers of both writers and readers and its influence, online literature has become an important component of the cultural life of Chinese people. It also shoulders increasing responsibilities to create good stories, encourage more people to read, and help achieve the goal of building a "strong culture" by 2035, according to a study of online literature in 2021 released earlier this month by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Based on data collected from platforms, including the China Literature Group, the country's largest online fiction provider, the study analyzed the development of and trends in Chinese online literature from five respects, including genres, reading and creating environment.

By the end of 2021, users of online literature platforms across China hit 502 million, which accounted for 48.6 percent of total internet users, an increase of more than 4 million compared to that in 2020.

Statistics from China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association released in October showed that in 2020, the market value of Chinese online literature was nearly 25 billion yuan ($3.92 billion) and more than 21 million online writers had created approximately 29 million works.