LIVING IN LIVESTREAM

New internet industries have emerged in China with the development of smartphones. Livestreaming is one such industry that has sprung up in the world’s largest internet market, creating a sector worth over 10 billion yuan ($159 million), more than 300 livestreaming platforms and over 300 million users.

Many people use the platforms to demonstrate their musical talent or performance skills, while some show off their possessions or pets.

The proportion of users who are middleaged and elderly is growing in the livestreaming space, which was previously dominated by the young, showing it is a platform for all kinds of people to show all kinds of things just for fun, as well as to make money from the business.

However, since vulgar and illegal performances have also appeared with the success of livestreaming, oversight of the sector has been strengthened.

Stricter rules on content supervision and examination have been introduced to online livestreaming management regulations that were formed in 2016.

This year, the Cyberspace Administration of China has punished several livestreaming platforms and anchors that severely violated regulations.

Supervision is improving to become more effective, so that livestreaming can undergo proper and continuous development.

PHOTOS BY ZOU HONG / CHINA DAILY Mo Ming, a 23-year-old folk artist, has performed Monkey King on livestream for more than six months to promote traditional Chinese culture.

Huang Xiuli, a 32-year-old knife-carving artist taught by the founder of the art form, Zhang Xiaoming, says talking with audiences on livestreaming platforms has made her more outgoing.