China

As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, China has a rich history of media communication. Government news sheets, known as tipao, were disseminated among Han Dynasty court officials in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE and later printed during the Tang Dynasty in the 8th and 9th centuries. As of 2021, journalism in China continues to evolve and adapt, creating a vibrant arc that has captured the attention of media scholars and pundits. This entry discusses the three periods into which Chinese journalism is generally divided—The Party Press (1949–1978), Commercialization and Conglomeration of the Party Press (1978–2003), and Media Convergence and Global Media Expansion of the Party Press (2003 to present). China’s journalism offers insights and rationale for its placement in the media landscape.