China classifies micro-dramas, mandates AI content labels
China has implemented regulations to classify micro-dramas by investment and subject matter, requiring AI-produced episodes to carry visible labels. A Hong Kong academic says the rules will help the industry's long-term health.
China has implemented the Micro-Drama Development Management Regulations, which classify micro-dramas by investment amount and subject matter for regulatory purposes. The rules also require that micro-dramas produced using artificial intelligence include a prominent label at the start of each episode indicating their AI origin.
Dr Tsang Hung, an assistant professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Creative Media, discussed the regulations on RTHK’s programme Looking at China. She said that while micro-dramas have grown rapidly in recent years and reshaped the film and television industry, many are of low quality and feature repetitive content. The new management rules, she argued, will support the long-term healthy development of the industry.
Dr Tsang noted that AI-produced dramas are often crude, with production costs as low as tens of thousands of yuan. This makes it difficult for more polished, live-action micro-dramas, which may cost millions of yuan, to compete. She believes the two types of productions should be placed on separate tracks and develop in parallel. She also expressed confidence that AI dramas cannot replace the quality of live-action dramas, and that the labelling requirement will help audiences distinguish between AI and live-action content.
On the issue of copyright infringement related to AI dramas, Dr Tsang said Chinese authorities have already required producers to declare the extent of AI use in their micro-dramas. However, given the vast number of AI-produced dramas on the market, she said it is difficult for regulators to examine each case individually. The responsibility for enforcement therefore falls on streaming platforms, which may struggle to ensure that no copyright violations are overlooked.
Dr Tsang added that Chinese authorities place importance on cultural exports. When micro-dramas enter overseas markets, their subject matter may need to appeal to local audiences. However, she noted that industry players may not be familiar with the history and lifestyles of foreign countries.