Streams of fine gold

In the early 2000s, martial arts dramas emerged as a major genre rated highly in China and elsewhere around the world, she says.

"The dramas adapted from bestselling novels by the prestigious wuxia authors Louis Cha and Gu Long were then greatly welcomed in Southeast Asia, whose culture and history are similar to China's."

For example, the Ciwen-produced martial arts dramas Legend of the Eagle Shooting Hero, The Proud Twins, Stories of the Wandering Hero and The Seven Swords were well received in Japan and South Korea.

As the Chinese economy has continued to boom over the past 10 years, more domestic series have been exported. Tales featuring modern China and the lifestyles of Chinese began to dominate ratings as foreign audiences wanted to know more about the changes that were unfolding in the country.