A seaside view of Zhoushan. [Photo/WeChat account: zhejss]

Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province has taken steps to promote the export of online cultural products — particularly web literature, web dramas, and online games — that draw on its island heritage to expand its cultural footprint.

Zhoushan's local network of authors has grown, with 45 members in the city's online writers' association. Authors such as Guan Xin Ze Luan have gained recognition, with their works and adaptations becoming bestsellers both domestically and internationally. These stories have also fueled Zhoushan's rise as a filming location. 

The city is now home to 128 registered film and television companies, including 12 engaged in web drama production, and has attracted more than 100 film and television productions to shoot on location, directly generating over 250 million yuan ($36 million) in consumption. In addition, 24 web dramas have either entered overseas markets or are preparing for international release.

Guan Xin Ze Luan is a prominent writer in China's web literature sector. Her novels The Story of Ming Lan and The Stars Are Brilliant, How Very Fortunate have been published in multiple languages and sold more than 20,000 copies worldwide.