China's National Radio and Television Administration announced a unified logo for all domestic Chinese TV productions Photo:Sina Weibo

China's National Radio and Television Administration on Wednesday announced that a unified logo will now come before the opening of all domestic Chinese TV productions - akin to the "golden dragon" seal of approval that is shown before all films in the Chinese mainland.  

According to the announcement, the new change, which comes into effect Wednesday, is being made to cater to long-term concerns for further improving TV drama production standards, to meet the need for high-quality development of TV dramas in the new era and to introduce an iconic cultural symbol for Chinese TV programs. 

The newly released notice quickly became a hot topic on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo, earning more than 64 million views. 

The logo appears as the upper torso of a Chinese woman "immortal" with her hair in a traditional bun and wearing an ancient-style dress that floats behind her as if it is dissolving into a cloud. The logo quickly intrigued netizens' discussion, with many calling the more feminine logo the "phoenix" counterpart to the "golden dragon" logo given by the China Film Administration to all domestic Chinese films. In traditional Chinese symbology, the Chinese phoenix is often paired with the Chinese dragon to represent concepts such as yin and yang, feminine and masculine.

"The 'golden dragon' logo is as important as a birth certificate for Chinese films. Having the logo means the film has passed various levels of review, from an initial project to final release, allowing it to be finally approved to face the public," Xu Ming, a film industry insider, told the Global Times. 

The notice also won the support of many netizens who saw it as a sign suggesting that TV dramas will face stricter regulations and reviews. 

"It is a good sign. I hope with this 'stamp of quality,' we see less content about vulgar and idol-oriented shows," posted a netizen on Sina Weibo. 

The notice has also specified that when domestic TV dramas are broadcast, unified labels for titles shall be used and the distribution license number of domestic TV dramas shall be accurately marked. All broadcasting organizations shall ensure complete and standardized use of the labels placed before the title of each episode.