President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of people-oriented art, saying art should be of the people and for the people. Chinese TV dramas would do good to follow Xi's advice and create works that enrich Chinese culture as well as benefit the producers.

The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and four other central government departments have jointly issued a document to boost the development of TV dramas. Among the document's 14 articles, including those on how to help improve TV productions and management, better cultivate talent and provide capital support, Article 3 which requires the establishment of a scientific mechanism for investment in and distribution of TV dramas is the most remarkable.

China's TV drama market is booming. Last year, 334 TV dramas with 14,912 episodes obtained the permission to broadcast the programs. But this should not be used to gauge the success of the TV drama industry, because it has been plagued by poor production quality and weak stories.