The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Prof. Dr. Wang Changsong from the School of Communication on the publication of his latest article in Asian Studies Review, an SSCI Q1 journal.

In the article titled “The Evolution of Chinese Popular Cinema: Baokuan Film Phenomena under Nationalism, Globalization, and Active Audiences”, Prof. Wang Changsong reviews the recent book “The Evolution of Chinese Popular Cinema: Baokuan Film Phenomena under Nationalism”. His review examines how the book rethinks Chinese popular cinema beyond the conventional Hollywood blockbuster model. In particular, he discusses how the concept of “baokuan” reflects the interaction between digital platforms, cultural nationalism, and active audience participation.

The article further explores how contemporary Chinese popular cinema is shaped not only by commercial film production but also by changing audience behaviour and online engagement. Prof. Wang Changsong highlights the growing role of digital platforms and social media in influencing how films are produced, promoted, and received. He also discusses the rise of genres such as animation and science fiction in expressing cultural identity and national imagination in contemporary China.

DOI: 10.1080/10357823.2026.2660399

Prof. Dr. Wang is the Dean of the School of Communication and Chief Librarian at Xiamen University Malaysia, as well as the Director of the Centre for ASEAN and Chinese Screen Studies (CACSS) at the university. In addition, he contributes to several Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus-indexed journals in the fields of media and communication as an Associate Editor, and Editorial Board member.