- One-stop service hub targets compliance, copyright and market-entry challenges
- Chinese producers continue to dominate a fast-growing global short-drama market
A new provincial platform aimed at helping Chinese short-drama producers navigate overseas markets was launched in Hangzhou on June 16, as Zhejiang seeks to strengthen its position in one of China’s fastest-growing digital content export sectors.
Located in the city’s Qiantang District, the Zhejiang Micro-Drama Global Services Platform will provide more than 20 services covering content compliance, financial support, overseas operations, copyright protection and risk management, according to organizers.
The initiative comes as Chinese-produced short dramas gain traction abroad but face mounting challenges.
They include cultural adaptation, copyright disputes and a shortage of professionals with expertise in both content production and international markets.
Rapid expansion abroad
Industry data suggest the opportunity remains significant. According to DataEye, a market researcher, overseas short-drama apps generated $602 million in in-app purchase revenue during the first quarter of 2026 and recorded approximately 689 million downloads.
Chinese productions accounted for more than 70% of total revenue, maintaining a dominant position in the global market.
North America contributed more than 60% of industry revenue, with the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom ranking as the largest markets by spending.
Emerging markets, meanwhile, generated roughly 70% of downloads, with Southeast Asia and Latin America serving as key growth regions.
Industry cluster takes shape
Qiantang has emerged as one of China’s leading hubs for the short-drama industry. Six of the country’s 10 largest short-drama companies are based in the district, employing more than 10,000 people.
Revenue at the area’s core short-drama companies has expanded by an average of more than 74% annually over the past two years, according to local officials.
Major producers including Jiuzhou Culture, Zhangwan Network and Maiya Media have accelerated overseas expansion. Short-drama platform ShortMax now operates in more than 240 countries and regions and has accumulated over 90 million users globally.
Building an export ecosystem
At the launch event, organizers unveiled three supporting frameworks: a service catalogue covering compliance, financing and overseas operations; a list of partner organizations spanning government agencies, industry associations, law firms and research institutions; and an annual roadmap focused on resource matching, training and talent development.
DataEye and 16 leading short-drama companies were named as the platform’s first strategic partners.
“The overseas expansion of short dramas faces challenges ranging from copyright and culture to religion,” said Xu Zhiqing, secretary-general of the Zhejiang Online Audio-Visual Association. “The platform has arrived at the right time.”
Xu said he expects the initiative to help more Chinese-produced short dramas reach international audiences while providing industry participants with practical support as they expand abroad.
