Photo: Courtesy of Yuewen

The British Library has expanded its Chinese collection by adding 10 online novels by Chinese authors, including Lord of the Mysteries, Soul Land, and The Joy of Life, a testament to the cultural significance and rapid development of internet literature in China. This follows the library's 2022 inclusion of its first batch of Chinese online literature.

The British Library and China's online literature giant Yuewen have also launched a three-year collaboration program, Literature in the Digital Age, to enhance cultural exchanges between the UK and China and promote the co-creation of new cultural IP. 

Li Liyan, minister counselor for Cultural Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, said at the event that the exploration and development of digital literature between China and the UK is an important part of global digital cultural innovation and has become an important part of cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. 

With its profound connections to China's fine traditional culture, online literature has attracted and impressed readers from all over the world, becoming especially loved and welcomed by the younger generation, he added. 

"This is a burgeoning cultural collaboration between the UK and China," said Rupert Daniels, director of Creative, Consumer, Sports, and Education at the UK Department for Business and Trade. He expressed his hope that the partnership will introduce captivating stories to global readers through innovative technologies.

"This collaboration with Yuewen is an exciting journey for us, one that underscores our mission to make our collection accessible and relevant to new audiences around the world. We're excited for what's to come as this project unfolds and connects literature lovers across continents," Jas Rai, chief operating officer of the British Library said.

Photo: Courtesy of Yuewen

Rai added that Chinese online literature showcases the growing diversity in storytelling, offering innovative ways for global audiences to connect with stories.

By the end of 2023, the number of Chinese online literature readers reached a record 537 million, with the overseas market for this genre surpassing 4 billion yuan ($552 million) and spanning over 200 countries and regions.

Vaishnu Ojha from India is now running a 24,000-member group on Facebook for fans of the hit Chinese online novel Lord of the Mysteries, a top-ranked fantasy, adventure and steampunk thriller that has amassed over 47 million views on WebNovel, a platform owned by Yuewen.

Under his management, members discuss the plot, the characters of the story as well as the latest new book in the "Mysterious Universe" series.

Vaishnu Ojha learned about Lord of the Mysteries through a friend's recommendation. He noted that he likes the writing style and storyline of Lord of the Mysteries very much.

At first, Vaishnu Ojha often posted content about Lord of the Mysteries on Facebook. Over time, he came up with the idea of "creating a Lord of the Mysteries-themed group" to discuss the story and interact with more fans. 

In May 2021, the Lord of the Mysteries Fan Club was officially established. In this group, Vaishnu Ojha has met book fans from all over the world. He really likes to discuss classic passages in the book with everyone. During the discussion, he has even found some foreshadowing and easter eggs that he missed. The group also held a fan essay competition centered on Lord of the Mysteries. According to Vaishnu Ojha, everyone liked the joy of letting their imaginations collide and "We plan to do it again." 

"These literature works help show the world the creative energy coming from the younger generations in China," noted Hou Xiaonan, CEO and president of Yuewen. 

"By having these works in the British Library collection, it will also help UK readers and researchers better understand modern Chinese culture, while also providing UK contributors with access to a vast new readership and significant opportunities for IP expansion and global influence." 

The British Library houses over 170 million items, including books, manuscripts, newspapers, and sound recordings.