China
Viral Ultra-Short Dramas Disrupt China’s Memory Politics
China’s controlled narrative on the War of Resistance faces challenges from viral ultra-short war dramas that evoke patriotism but conflict with official campaigns, prompting regulatory backlash amidst a struggle for historical narrative control.
Viral Dramas Challenge Official Narratives
China’s stringent narrative surrounding the War of Resistance is facing disruption from the rise of viral ultra-short war dramas. While these dramatic portrayals evoke patriotic feelings, they often contrast sharply with the official tone of state campaigns. This contradiction has created a narrative crisis in China’s memory politics, prompting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to react to maintain control over historical memory.
Commemorative Campaigns and Cultural Shifts
The 80th anniversary of China’s victory, marked by a grand military parade in Tiananmen Square on September 3, 2025, highlights the CCP’s reliance on wartime memory for legitimacy. Following the 1989 Tiananmen protests, the Party intensified its patriotic education efforts, revamping textbooks and establishing mandatory education bases to portray Japanese atrocities. Despite these state-led initiatives, a parallel market for patriotic entertainment has flourished online, especially among younger audiences.
The Propaganda Dilemma
Traditional media in China has been instrumental in reinforcing official narratives, with strict regulations ensuring alignment with Party ideology. However, the emergence of ultra-short dramas on platforms like Douyin poses a dilemma. While these quick, engaging stories celebrate national pride, they blur the line between propaganda and entertainment, inviting increased scrutiny from authorities attempting to maintain a coherent and controlled narrative.
Source : Viral ultra-short dramas are challenging China’s memory politics
