Michael Keane

Haiqing Yu

Elaine J. Zhao

Susan Leong

This book explores China's digital presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Drawing on new research into the business models of digital platforms, it shows how China's leading internet technology platforms are contributing to China's actual cultural influence and its perceived reputation. Drawing on political economy of the media, industry analysis, platform studies and cultural policy studies, the book shows that China's commercial digital platforms are increasingly recognized outside China and can disseminate Chinese culture more effectively than government supported media. In considering the multi-layered rise of China argument, the book considers its growing technological status as an innovative nation through four policy approaches: culture+, industry+, internet+ and platform+. Other + characterizations include intelligent+ and social+. These + characterizations show how China is rejuvenating, drawing technological know-how from the region, and adding to its cultural (and soft) power. The book focuses on six locations: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The authors analyse Beijing's changing policies towards the governance of culture, internet technologies and digital platforms, as well as examining consumer perceptions of China and Chinese products in the Asia-Pacific region. In using the + characterizations, the authors provide a comprehensive analysis of how Chinese cultural and creative industries became digital, as well as investigating the key players and the leading platforms including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, TikTok, Baidu, iQiyi, and Meituan.

Elaine J. Zhao

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