Television documentaries of the People's Republic of China (using the example of CCTV)

Chen' Syue Graduate student, Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov 119234, Russia, Moscow region, Moscow, Western Administrative District, Ramenki district, Leninskie Gory territory, 1P chenxue2020.@yandex.ru

The history of television documentaries in China is a fascinating journey through time, reflecting the complex transformations of Chinese society and the media industry. Since the advent of television in the country in the middle of the 20th century, television documentaries have become an integral part of the cultural and information scene.

In its early stages of development, Chinese television documentaries, like the world experience, served largely as a tool for state propaganda and public opinion formation. The era of the cultural revolution, which swept the country in the 1960s and 1970s, became a period when documentaries were completely subordinated to the ideology of the Communist Party of China, and content was directed at maintaining a political line ^{[1, p. 189]}.

However, with the beginning of reforms and opening in the late 1970s and early 1980s, television documentaries in China have undergone significant changes. The time, which represented the search for a new cultural and identical path, was also reflected in the documentary works. New themes related to social change, economic reforms and cultural diversity have become central to documentary projects.

In the 1990s and beyond, with the expansion of access to technology and the growth of the industry, television documentaries in China became more diverse and technically advanced. With the advent of private TV channels and Internet platforms, documentaries have become accessible to a wide audience, and topics have expanded to environmental issues, cultural heritage and social issues ^{[2, p. 174]}.

However, despite these changes, television documentaries in China continue to reflect the influence of the state. Although the State control has softened compared to previous decades, it still has an impact on the choice of topics and formats of documentary projects.

Thus, the history of television documentaries in China represents a complex landscape reflecting political transformations, social changes and technological progress in the country. It has become a powerful tool for shaping public consciousness, and its evolution continues to reflect the dynamics of Chinese society in the context of the global media space ^{[3, p. 67]}.

The development of China Central Television (CCTV) is an important part of the history of television documentaries in China, the stages of which have reflected many changes in the country. The beginning of the history of CCTV in 1958 marked an important period for Chinese television, and the development of the channel in the context of documentaries can be divided into several key stages.

In the early years of its existence, CCTV focused on supporting state propaganda and the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party. Documentaries during this period served as a tool for forming public opinion and supporting the political line, clearly reflecting the ideological priorities of the state ^{[4, p. 38]}.

With the beginning of reforms and opening under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, CCTV has witnessed changes in the country. Documentaries began to reflect social and economic reforms, as well as explore new topics related to social change. Projects on cultural diversity, economic development and social issues have become more widespread.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, with the expansion of access to new technologies and the development of the Internet, CCTV introduced technical innovations into documentary production. This has led to improved shooting and editing quality and the creation of more creative formats. Globalization has also had an impact on the content, with the emergence of projects dedicated to global themes and events.

Currently, CCTV continues to evolve in the face of rapid changes in Chinese society. Documentaries on the channel are becoming more diverse, reflecting the interests of various segments of society. Environmental issues, innovations, cultural heritage, and others become important topics, reflecting the diversity of interests of the Chinese audience ^{[5, p. 163]}.

In general, the development of CCTV in the context of documentaries reflects not only technological progress and the evolution of cinematography, but also deep socio-cultural transformations in China. From a tool of state propaganda to a diverse and multifaceted media channel, CCTV continues to play a key role in shaping the image of modern Chinese society through the lens of documentary.

The structure and organization of China Central Television (CCTV) plays a key role in the formation and distribution of documentary programs, making this TV channel an important player in the Chinese media industry.

First of all, the TV channel itself is divided into various channels and subchannels, each of which focuses on certain types of content. Documentary programs, therefore, are included in certain programming blocks that can be devoted to history, culture, nature or other topics ^{[6, p. 68]}.

As a state-owned channel, CCTV is under the direct influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party. This influence manifests itself in the formation of a general information policy, as well as in the direction of content development in order to comply with the official ideology and the party line.

In addition, there is a department of public relations and marketing in the structure of CCTV, which is responsible for promoting the channel and interacting with viewers. These departments work together to ensure a high level of professionalism and quality of content ^{[7, p. 29]}.

Financing is carried out both from the state budget and from advertising revenues. This funding allows the channel to attract talented professionals, use advanced technologies in production and provide wide access to information resources.

In turn, the decisions made at these levels reflect the overall strategy of the channel and its contribution to shaping the image of China through documentaries.

Thus, the structure and organization of CCTV not only ensure the effective functioning of the channel, but also determine its role in society and influence on the formation of public opinion through documentary projects.

China Central Television (CCTV) plays an important role in the system of state control and information policy in China. As a state-owned television channel, CCTV is closely linked to the Communist Party of China (CPC) and serves as a key tool for shaping public opinion in the country ^{[8, p. 32]}.

CCTV is under the direct control of the state, which makes it an important tool in the system of state control. The editorial policy, the choice of topics and formats, as well as the general information line are closely linked to the political instructions of the CPC. This ensures that the channel's content conforms to the official ideology and serves the purposes of state propaganda.

CCTV plays an important role in shaping the image of China as a country that follows socialist principles and has achieved outstanding results in various fields. Documentary programs produced by the channel are often devoted to China's achievements in science, technology, culture and economics, creating a positive perception of the country on the world stage ^{[9, p. 116]}.

CCTV also plays an important role in regulating public discourse. By choosing topics, submitting materials and participating in shaping discussions, the channel can influence the priorities and directions of discussions in society, emphasizing topics important for public policy.

CCTV is actively involved in the implementation of information policy determined by government agencies. This includes not only the provision of news and information, but also the creation of documentary projects that express the key ideological and cultural values of the country ^{[10, p. 65]}.

The role of CCTV is also related to strengthening national identity. Documentaries covering the history, culture and achievements of China are aimed at strengthening patriotism among viewers and forming a unified view of national values.

CCTV also performs an important function in promoting Chinese "soft power" outside the country. Documentary programs broadcast on international platforms create a positive image of China and demonstrate its contribution to the world community ^{[11, p. 78]}.

Thus, the role of CCTV in the system of state control and information policy extends from shaping the image of the country to regulating public discourse and promoting its interests both inside and outside the country. The channel remains a key tool for achieving government goals in the field of information impact and public opinion.

China Central Television (CCTV) television documentaries reflect a variety of topics and directions, from historical investigations to socio-cultural and political projects. In particular, social and cultural themes play an important role in shaping the image of modern China and understanding the challenges facing society.

CCTV actively explores the socio-cultural aspects of Chinese society through documentary projects. Topics such as current trends in art, cultural heritage, youth culture and education are a frequent focus of attention. These projects not only highlight relevant aspects of cultural life in China, but also serve as a means of attracting viewers' attention to the diversity of cultural expressions in the country ^{[12, p. 52]}.

Historical documentaries on CCTV play an important role in the preservation and transmission of historical experience. Projects dedicated to key events and epochs in Chinese and world history allow viewers to gain a deeper understanding of the past and its impact on the present. The coverage of cultural and scientific achievements, archaeological discoveries and historical figures creates an image of China as a nation with a rich and deep past.

CCTV also serves as an important tool of state propaganda, shaping the image of the country in accordance with the official ideology. Documentary projects dedicated to political events, key leaders and strategic initiatives of the state are aimed at supporting the policy of the Communist Party. These projects, in particular, can highlight China's achievements in the field of economics, technology and social development, serving as an important means of mobilizing public opinion ^{[13, p. 84]}.

In general, the themes and directions of CCTV television documentaries are a reflection of the diversity and versatility of Chinese society. From exploring cultural aspects to supporting public policy, the channel's documentary projects play an important role in shaping public awareness and perception of China as a modern nation.

Technical innovations play an important role in modern television documentaries, especially in the context of China Central Television (CCTV). The use of advanced technologies in the production of documentaries not only improves the quality of shooting and editing, but also has a significant impact on the perception of viewers.

CCTV is actively introducing advanced technologies into the production process of documentaries. From high—resolution shooting and the use of modern cameras to the use of virtual reality and animation, these technological innovations allow you to create cinematically impressive works and provide creative opportunities for the realization of the ideas of directors ^{[14, p. 21]}.

The use of advanced technologies significantly raises the quality level of shooting and editing documentaries. The high sharpness of the image, the bright color, the transfer of details in difficult lighting conditions — all this creates visually attractive works. Modern technologies also provide flexibility in the editing process, allowing creators to better emphasize key points and increase the emotional saturation of the work.

Technical innovations not only improve the quality of documentary film production, but also have a significant impact on the audience's perception. The use of virtual reality, 360-degree photography or interactive elements creates unique visual and sensory experiences. This allows viewers to immerse themselves more deeply in the content, increasing the degree of emotional engagement and interest.

Technical innovations also contribute to the development of new documentary formats, such as virtual reality or interactive documentary projects. These experiments not only demonstrate technological capabilities, but also enrich the experience of the audience, making them participants in the events.

Thus, the use of advanced technologies in the production of documentaries on CCTV not only improves the technical quality of shooting and editing, but also transforms the experience of viewers, creating new perspectives for the perception of information and the formation of visual representations of the world around them.

The prospects for the development of television documentaries in China, especially on the China Central Television (CCTV) channel, present a fascinating picture of changes in the context of technological innovations, socio-cultural transformations and global trends in the media industry.

One of the key factors for future development is ongoing technological progress. The introduction of new technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence provides the opportunity to create more interactive and visually exciting documentary projects. These innovations can deepen viewers' interaction with content and give documentaries new forms and formats ^{[15, p. 169]}.

In the context of a developing society and the changing interests of the audience, one can expect an expansion of the thematic range of documentary projects. The appearance of programs dedicated to technological innovations, youth culture, environmental issues and world events will reflect changes in the priorities of viewers and ensure a variety of topics in documentaries.

Globalization and the availability of the Internet are opening up new horizons for television documentaries. CCTV, in particular, has the opportunity to expand its audience beyond China. Creating content with global influence, providing a diverse cultural perspective and using linguistic diversity can make CCTV documentaries more attractive to the global public.

Taking into account the changing socio-cultural trends in China, documentary themes may reflect a more open and multifaceted image of society. Projects focusing on individual stories, social change, and cultural diversity can more accurately reflect modern Chinese society and its evolution.

In the future, television documentaries may become more interactive and engaging. The introduction of technologies that allow viewers to influence the development of the plot, choose the direction of the investigation or participate in the discussion, will enhance the interaction of viewers with the content and make viewing more personal and exciting.

With China maintaining a model of state control over the media, it is expected that documentaries on CCTV will continue to reflect official ideology and serve as a means of supporting government initiatives. However, less control and more freedom in choosing topics can lead to more diverse and meaningful content.

Television documentaries in China serve as a means of preserving and transmitting historical experience. Projects dedicated to key events and periods in Chinese history allow viewers to understand their national identity more deeply and evaluate the contribution of previous generations to the formation of modern society.

Television documentaries play an important role in shaping the image of the country and the nation. Projects dedicated to achievements in science, technology, culture and art create a positive image of China as a modern and dynamic nation. This affects the self-awareness of society and its place in the global context.

Television documentary projects reflect sociocultural changes in modern Chinese society. They cover topics related to youth culture, social change, environmental issues and technological development. This allows viewers to more fully perceive the dynamics of modern life and participate in the discussion of social challenges.

Documentaries on Chinese television play an important role in education and enlightenment. They provide viewers with information about various fields of knowledge, culture and art, contributing to the improvement of the educational level of society. Topics related to scientific research, cultural heritage and innovation are becoming available to a wide audience.

Television documentaries have an impact on the formation of public opinion. Projects on social and political issues can stimulate discussion and raise relevant topics for society. This contributes to the development of public criticism, allowing viewers to be more aware of the events taking place.

Thus, television documentaries on CCTV have deep significance for Chinese society and culture, shaping the image of China and influencing the worldview of viewers. The preservation and transmission of history, the coverage of topical socio-cultural issues and the impact on public opinion make this media genre an important tool in shaping the cultural landscape of the country.