Chinese tech firm Alibaba Group has completed a three-year rectification under the supervision and guidance of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), according to a statement on the top market regulator's website on Friday. Industry observers said the move marked a phased development of Chinese platform businesses. 

As one of China's largest internet firms, Alibaba's completion of the rectification process shows that the industry as a whole is "returning to the right track" of compliant development under guidance and regulation, a departure from the previous rampant model of expansion that created disorder and heightened risks.

Also, it sends a resounding signal on Chinese authorities' great emphasis on boosting the platform economy and encouraging attitude to drive its innovative and healthy growth - on the basis of a balance between supervision and development, analysts said.  

In April 2021, SAMR imposed an administrative penalty on Alibaba for the monopolistic practice of "forcing merchants to choose one of two platforms." Alibaba was ordered to cease its illegal activities, conduct a comprehensive self-examination and rectification, and submit a self-examination compliance report to SAMR for three consecutive years. 

SAMR added that the company's rectification efforts have achieved positive results.

Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday that the move demonstrates the Chinese government's unwavering support for and encouraging attitude on boosting platform businesses, which will greatly rally and reinforce market confidence. 

"The end of the rectification also means that the company is now in compliance with regulations, and is thus conducive to creating a better, fairer and market competitive environment," Wang said. He also called for relevant platform enterprises to play a bigger role in China's economic upgrade.

Japan and Australia will hold a "two-plus-two" security meeting in Australia on Thursday, aiming to strengthen defense and security cooperation, which Chinese analysts warn would be disruptive and detrimental to the regional stability and exert significant impact to push the Asia-Pacific region into security dilemmas or traps.

Japanese media outlet Jiji Press News reported on Friday that Japan will be represented by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, and Australia by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles.

Jiji noted that Tokyo and Canberra are expected to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening collaboration, citing China's behavior in the region. 

According to analysts, the promotion of Japan-Australia cooperation came as the US launched the so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy and stepped up its pressure to push forward the coordination among allies and partners in an attempt to contain China and undermine its peaceful development.

Since the Australia-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a treaty that provides a framework for each country's forces to operate in the other's, came into force in August 2023, how to further deepen and cooperate with each other based on the agreement could be a matter for discussion during the upcoming security meeting, said Chen Hong, executive director of Asia Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University.

With Japan also hyping up the Taiwan question and the Diaoyu Islands issue and stirring up trouble over the South China Sea issue, it is believed that Australia may conduct some cooperative actions under the guidance of US' anti-China strategy, according to Chen.

"It cannot be ruled out that Japan and Australia may propose joint military exercises, or even rope in a third party, such as the Philippines, to join," Chen said.

Also, considering that Japan might one day in some capacity join the AUKUS, an Australia-UK-US security partnership, related discussions are expected to be covered during the Japan-Australia security meeting, as they want to form a circle of deterrence around China, Chen noted.

The expert warned that as the Asia-Pacific is the engine of the world economy, undermining peace and stability in the region is actually a threat to world peace, security and development, which is also a serious concern for the international community.

After the robust micro-drama industry intrigued young Chinese viewers with romance shows, it is now experiencing a notable surge in popularity among middle-aged and elderly audiences, evolving from a niche medium into a mainstream entertainment phenomenon. These short, melodramatic shows, often featuring middle-aged protagonists in fantastical scenarios, have captured the imagination of an older demographic. However, this burgeoning trend also brings to light significant challenges, particularly concerning content homogenization and the need for stricter regulation.

The appeal of micro-dramas to older demographics is significant. According to the 2024 China Micro-Drama Industry Research Report by iResearch.com, users aged 40-59 constitute 37.3 percent of the micro-drama audience, with those aged 60 and above accounting for 12.1 percent. This shift highlights a broader trend: Digital entertainment is increasingly catering to an aging population. With China's elderly consumption potential projected to soar from 40 trillion ($5.6 trillion ) to 106 trillion yuan by 2050, the market for such content is both expansive and lucrative.

The success of micro-dramas among older viewers is evident from their prominence on various platforms. Data from DataEye and WETRUE reveals that micro-dramas featuring middle-aged protagonists frequently top the charts, reflecting their widespread appeal. Shows like The Flash Marriage at Fifty, which features a wealthy CEO marrying a middle-aged woman, have resonated with viewers seeking both escapism and relatable narratives. The dramatic plots, marked by themes of instant romance and personal transformation, offer a stark contrast to the everyday realities faced by many elderly viewers.

Experts suggest that as the internet and mobile media become more prevalent among older adults, these platforms increasingly serve as substitutes for diminished social support. Micro-dramas, particularly those exploring family dynamics and emotional conflicts such as "mother-in-law issues," "divorces," "flash marriages," and "reconciliation," provide emotional compensation and a sense of connection.

However, concerns about content homogenization are growing. Many micro-dramas rely on repetitive and formulaic elements, such as "villainous female characters" and "hasty marriages," which can lead to viewer disengagement. Additionally, the stereotypical portrayal of family conflicts in these dramas may exacerbate negative perceptions of real-life disputes, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and potentially increasing emotional strain for older audiences.

For instance, the emergence of themes like "tyrannical CEOs" and "sweet romances" has become predictable, with many new dramas offering little beyond superficial variations of these tropes. This homogenization risks reducing the genre's appeal as viewers may grow tired of repetitive plots and characters.

Monetization practices within the micro-drama sector further complicate matters. Reports indicate that many platforms employ aggressive and often deceptive tactics to extract money from viewers, including hidden fees, automatic renewals, and misleading pricing structures. These practices place a substantial financial burden on consumers, particularly elderly viewers, who may struggle with the complexities of digital payments and subscription models. Many elderly individuals find themselves facing unexpected charges due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies, exacerbating their financial strain and sense of exploitation.

As highlighted by recent user experiences, elderly individuals often find themselves unwittingly spending significant amounts of money on micro-dramas due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies. Such issues are compounded by a lack of adequate support and recourse for resolving disputes, leaving many viewers feeling exploited.

To address these challenges, the National Radio and Television Administration has implemented new regulations that went into effect on June 1. Dramas are managed based on their investment levels: Projects with high amounts of funding are overseen by national and provincial bodies, while lesser funded projects are handled by the online platforms. Furthermore, unapproved and unregistered micro-dramas are prohibited from being disseminated online.

As micro-dramas continue to captivate older audiences, addressing the issues of content quality and regulatory oversight will be crucial in ensuring that this genre remains both engaging and ethically responsible.

The Shanghai Conservatory of Music successfully hosted the “Opera Performance Talent Training” report performance at the He Lüting Concert Hall in Shanghai on Friday. This event was part of the National Arts Fund’s 2024 annual art talent training funding project.    

The concert, Essence of Chinese and Foreign Classical Operas, featured a series of splendid opera duets, trios, and quartets performed by the students of the training program and accompanied by the Shanghai Opera House Orchestra.

Thirty young opera performers from various cultural troupes and art colleges across the country demonstrated the achievements they had made during the 30-day intensive training program. The concert was composed of excerpts from both Chinese and foreign operatic works, showcasing the students’ learning outcomes in vocal skills, language pronunciation, stage performance, and overall presentation.

The training curriculum covered multiple aspects of the development of opera, with expert classes focusing on various aspects of opera performance. Musicians such as baritone Liao Changyong provided valuable professional guidance to the students, drawing on their rich stage experience to offer detailed instruction on vocal techniques, musical processing and stage performance.

As a vital component of social aesthetic education, all four report concerts of this training program were open to the public. The initiative invited citizens to experience the beauty of opera up close, receiving a warm social response.