The cover of Lantern Festival Joy by Wang Yurong. [Photo provided to ezhejiang.gov.cn]

In recent years, Chinese online literature has seen rapid global expansion, with a growing international readership.

Wang Yurong, an online author living in the China Internet Writers Village, is one of the standout voices from the "village". Based in Hangzhou's Binjiang district, the village is a national hub for internet literature and home to more than 300 writers.

Wang has penned several well-received works, including Lantern Festival Joy, which have gained traction both at home and abroad. She said traditional Chinese culture is increasingly appreciated overseas.

Last year, one of her novels caught the attention of a Singaporean publisher, which plans to release an English translation in markets including Singapore and North America.

In August 2023, the village launched a cultural exchange tour to Italy, the United Kingdom, and France, engaging with literary platforms and overseas scholars.

According to the latest figures, the village's creations have attracted over 160 million readers worldwide. Wang said that the village is placing greater emphasis on supporting authors to "go global" this year.

Wang is currently working on a new novel set in Hangzhou, featuring an algorithm engineer as the protagonist. Through storytelling, she said she hopes to introduce readers around the world to the charm of the city and its status as a hub of China's digital economy.

The Writers Village will focus on integrating emerging technologies such as AI, VR, AR, and big data into the literary ecosystem.

By 2027, the village expects to grow its community to 600 writers and produce 500 high-quality web novels, according to Shen Rong, general manager of the village's operations.