STORY: 10 Chinese online literature works added to British Library collection
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 22, 2024
DATELINE: Nov. 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:14
LOCATION: London
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of online Chinese novels during their inclusion event at the British Library in London
2. various of speeches and discussions on the forum "Literature in the digital age"
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YAN ZK, Chinese web novelist
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JAS RAI, Chief Operating Officer of the British Library
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RUPERT DANIELS, Director of Creative, Consumer, Sports, and Education at the UK Department for Business and Trade

STORYLINE:

The British Library expanded its Chinese collection on Thursday by adding ten online novels by Chinese authors, including Lord of the Mysteries, Soul Land, and The Joy of Life.
   
This follows the library's 2022 inclusion of its first batch of Chinese online literature.
   
These novels, originally published on platforms operated by Yuewen, a Chinese online literature company, were donated to document the cultural significance and rapid development of internet literature in China.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YAN ZK, Chinese web novelist
"In China, online novels are typically updated with a short segment of the story each day. These segments are brief and won't take up too much of a reader's time -- you might finish reading one while on the subway or even waiting at a traffic light. This creates a sense of companionship, helping readers maintain a daily reading habit. This format aligns well with the fast-paced style of short videos and the increasingly fast-paced modern society. It has naturally evolved in China and has become an integral part of people's lives, offering an optional form of entertainment. By staying connected to the spirit of the times, it gains vitality and relevance."

Jas Rai, Chief Operating Officer of the British Library, said that they are excited to collaborate with Chinese publishers to engage audiences in the United Kingdom (UK), highlighting the library's dedication to enhancing accessibility and diversifying its offerings.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JAS RAI, Chief Operating Officer of the British Library
"Well, I mean, these works are incredible. We want to collaborate and really try to bring collections to life and to audiences, and to diversify our collection, and to bring something different to our users, audiences and people here in the UK.
I think what we saw today, in today's fantastic panel discussion, was around the diversity I think that's starting to come out of China. So different mediums of how stories are told, how stories are shared, whether it's through picture, print, digital, and I think it's incredibly exciting, but also innovating for different audiences around the world to engage with."

By the end of 2023, the number of Chinese online literature readers reached a record 537 million, with the overseas market for this genre surpassing 4 billion yuan, spanning over 200 countries and regions.
   
Qianshanchake, a Chinese web novelist whose work Stacie was included in the library's collection, expressed excitement and surprise at the recognition. She said she believes the adventurous themes and Eastern elements will resonate with British and European readers. "The core themes of novels are universal, transcending cultural boundaries," she added.
   
The announcement also marked the launch of a three-year collaboration, Literature in the Digital Age, between the British Library and Yuewen. A roundtable forum on the same theme was held in London, bringing together publishing professionals from both nations to share insights.
   
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RUPERT DANIELS, Director of Creative, Consumer, Sports, and Education at the UK Department for Business and Trade
"So what we have is a really great burgeoning cultural collaboration occurring between the UK and China. And it's part of our jobs, I think, to make sure that we do that justice, that we continue to tell the stories, and we continue to further a great cooperation, so that actually, the readers all over the world can consume such fantastic, interesting stories in whichever technology they choose."

The British Library houses over 170 million items, including books, manuscripts, newspapers, and sound recordings.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from London.
(XHTV)