Introduction Esports has shifted from a niche subculture into a global mass phenomenon where competition intersects with technology, entertainment, and national identity. Nowhere is this intersection more pronounced than in China, where competitive gaming has become a platform for expressing pride, cultural confidence, and geopolitical aspirations. In 2025, the Chinese esports market reached a revenue of ¥29.33 billion (approximately $4.02 billion), supported by an audience o