Juvenile Literature in China after the Reform and Opening Up Era

This article explores the development of juvenile literature in China after the Reform and Opening-Up (gaige kaifang, 改革开放) era initiated in 1978. It traces the revival of children’s publishing in the 1980s, the commercialization of the 1990s, the globalization and digital transformations of the 2000s, and the challenges of the contemporary era. By analyzing the shifting roles of state policies, market forces, and cultural exchanges, the study argues that juvenile literature has functioned as both an educational tool and a cultural mirror of China’s modernization. The article concludes that while challenges remain—such as digital competition and market oversaturation—juvenile literature continues to play a vital role in shaping the values, imaginations, and cultural identities of Chinese youth.