About Eye on Digital China — Powered by What’s on Weibo

Eye on Digital China is an independent publication by sinologist and China trend watcher Manya Koetse, offering analysis and reporting on China’s digital culture, media, and social trends. It builds on more than a decade of work at What’s on Weibo, the platform Manya founded in 2013 to track and explain developments on Chinese social media.

As China’s digital landscape has expanded from early microblogging to today’s AI-driven platforms and niche online communities, Eye on Digital China provides a broader look at the discussions, patterns, and dynamics shaping China’s online world. The newsletter is sent directly to subscribers and is co-published on Substack and on the What’s on Weibo platform, which also hosts the full archive of over twelve years of reporting.

Although Eye on Digital China—and earlier What’s on Weibo—is independently run by Manya Koetse, the work has been enriched by valuable contributions and ongoing conversations with others. For years, Miranda Barnes has been a daily sounding board whose ideas and discussions have helped spark new angles and deepen the analysis behind the site. Ruixin Zhang contributes thoughtful writing and fresh perspectives, and contributors such as Wendy Huang and others have added insights that help keep the coverage diverse and lively.

Our work has been featured or referenced in academic publications and by media outlets including BBC, CNN, The Guardian, The New York Times, South China Morning Post, The Washington Post, Newsweek, and many others. Prof. Liping Bai’s study in Perspectives described What’s on Weibo as a “bloglator” — a valuable bridge that helps China-related online stories move into the international news conversation.

The project is fully independent and not affiliated with Sina Weibo, any other Chinese social media platforms, political actors, or sponsors. This work is supported directly by readers.

To support this work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Donations are also welcome to help maintain the full archive. See our FAQ page for other questions.

For tips, story ideas, consultancy, speaking engagements, or media inquiries, you’re welcome to get in touch. The publication is also open to op-eds and contributor pitches.

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