ByteDance, Tencent Join Industry Pledge to Curb Labor Abuses in China’s Micro-Drama Boom
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ByteDance and Tencent have joined 36 Chinese video streaming platforms and production companies in a pact to improve labor standards in China’s booming micro-drama industry, following public backlash over a production that filmed an infant exposed to artificial rain.
Many of the signatories, including ByteDance Ltd.’s Hongguo Short Drama, Kuaishou Technology and major streaming services such as iQiyi Inc., Tencent Video and Bilibili Inc., reposted the self-discipline convention on their official WeChat accounts Wednesday, in a show of their commitments to the industry pledge. The agreement, orchestrated by the China Netcasting Services Association (CNSA), seeks to regulate a high-growth sector that has faced increasing scrutiny for operating like a sweatshop.
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- ByteDance, Tencent, and 36 Chinese streaming platforms pledged to improve labor standards in the micro-drama industry after public criticism over child safety.
- The pact, led by CNSA, bans child performers in inappropriate scenes, requires contracts, and promotes safer working conditions and fair wages.
- China's micro-drama sector has 696 million users, 120.5 minutes daily viewing time, and supported 1.33 million jobs as of late 2025.
- ByteDance
- ByteDance, through its subsidiary Hongguo Short Drama, is a signatory to a self-discipline convention aimed at improving labor standards in China's micro-drama industry. This initiative, orchestrated by the China Netcasting Services Association, seeks to regulate a rapidly growing sector that has faced scrutiny for exploiting performers. ByteDance reposted the agreement, demonstrating its commitment to the pledge.
- Tencent
- Tencent, through its platform Tencent Video, has joined ByteDance and other Chinese video streaming companies in a pact to improve labor standards in the micro-drama industry. This self-discipline convention, organized by the China Netcasting Services Association (CNSA), addresses concerns over exploitative practices, particularly after an incident involving an infant exposed to artificial rain during filming. Tencent's commitment is aimed at curbing sweatshop-like conditions and ensuring more professional and ethical production standards in this rapidly growing sector.
- Hongguo Short Drama
- Hongguo Short Drama is a micro-drama platform operated by ByteDance Ltd. It is among 36 Chinese video streaming platforms and production companies that have joined a pact to improve labor standards in China's micro-drama industry. This initiative, orchestrated by the China Netcasting Services Association, aims to regulate a high-growth sector facing scrutiny for poor working conditions.
- Kuaishou Technology
- Kuaishou Technology is one of 36 Chinese video streaming platforms and production companies that have signed a new pact to improve labor standards in China's micro-drama industry. This agreement, orchestrated by the China Netcasting Services Association, aims to regulate the high-growth sector which has faced scrutiny for exploitative practices.
- iQiyi Inc.
- iQiyi Inc. is one of several major streaming services that have signed a self-discipline convention to improve labor standards in China's micro-drama industry. This agreement, orchestrated by the China Netcasting Services Association, aims to regulate the high-growth sector known for low-budget productions and demanding schedules.
- Tencent Video
- Tencent Video is one of 36 Chinese video streaming platforms and production companies that have signed a pact to improve labor standards in China's micro-drama industry. The company, alongside other major streaming services, reposted the self-discipline convention on their official WeChat accounts, demonstrating their commitment to regulating the industry.
- Bilibili Inc.
- Bilibili Inc. is among 36 Chinese video streaming platforms and production companies that have joined a pact to improve labor standards in China's micro-drama industry. As a major streaming service, Bilibili reposted the self-discipline convention on its official WeChat account, showing its commitment to the industry pledge to regulate the high-growth sector.
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