Youxibao.com
Youxibao.com[edit | edit source]
Youxibao (游戏报) was one of China's first modern tabloid newspapers, launched in Shanghai on June 24, 1897. Here are the key points about Youxibao:
Origins and Founding[edit | edit source]
- Founded by Li Boyuan (李伯元), also known as Li Baojia (李寶嘉), a prominent writer and journalist1[1][9]. - The name "Youxibao" means "Fun Newspaper" in English[1]. - It was China's first modern tabloid newspaper, marking a new genre in Chinese journalism[4].
Content and Style[edit | edit source]
- Focused almost entirely on pleasure and amusement, containing little serious news[4]. - Each issue followed a fixed formula set by Li Boyuan, emphasizing entertainment over information[4]. - Featured content like anecdotes, jokes, gossip, and light fiction[4]. - Did not make heavy use of illustrations or pictures, unlike some Western tabloids of the time[4].
Impact and Influence[edit | edit source]
- Was an instant success, with circulation in its first three months rivaling major Shanghai papers[4]. - Opened the floodgates for other tabloids - four more appeared within six months of Youxibao's launch[4]. - Along with Caifengbao (Anecdotes), attracted the most readers among early Chinese tabloids[4]. - Helped establish a new literary genre of serialized fiction in newspapers[12].
Historical Context[edit | edit source]
- Emerged during a period of rapid modernization and Western influence in late Qing China[15]. - Part of a broader trend of new print media and journalism developing in China at the time[4]. - Represented a shift away from traditional, elite-focused publishing towards popular entertainment[4].
Legacy[edit | edit source]
- Ran from 1897 to 1906, ending with Li Boyuan's death1[1][9]. - Considered an important publication in the development of modern Chinese literature and journalism4[2]. - Archives of Youxibao issues are now digitized and available online for historical research1[1]9[3][16].
Youxibao played a significant role in popularizing a new style of accessible, entertainment-focused journalism in China at the turn of the 20th century. Its success paved the way for the growth of popular print media and helped shape modern Chinese literary culture.