Beijing is offering an all-expenses-paid, 10-day trip to China in July for American social media influencers. The initiative aims towards the collaboration of Chinese content creators and young influencers with at least 3000,000 followers, as reported by Bloomberg. Despite continued tensions between Washington and Beijing on issues such as trade and technology, the initiative highlights China’s soft-power efforts. Last year, President Xi Jinping advocated for stronger academic and cultural ties with the US, including a commitment to host 50,000 American students at Chinese universitiesChinese state-affiliated outlets, including China Youth Daily posted the recruitment notice. It describes the 10 day program as a platform to showcase the “real China” and build ties between the people of China and the United States.
Insights about the “China-Global Youth Influencer Exchange Program”
According to reports, the Chinese government is looking for influencers based in the US who are active on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Current Chinese students abroad are encouraged to recommend friends or influencers who might be a good fit for the program.Applicants should showcase their love for Chinese culture and have a clean record. These influencers will also collaborate with Chinese content creators, and their content might get a boost through these collaborations from the state mediaIt’s worth noting that Western influencers who have shared positive portrayals of China since Covid-19 have received praise from Chinese authorities. For example, American streamer IShowSpeed’s visit in April seemed to pay off. According to a 2023 report, over 120 foreign influencers on Chinese platforms have received state support to grow their audience, often in exchange for promoting Beijing’s narrative
Who is eligible for a 10-day free trip to China
Young social media influencers with at least 300,000 followers are sought after in order to work with Chinese content producers and promote ‘Real China.’US applicants for the exchange program should be active on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X. Also, they should have no history of bad behaviour and should love Chinese culture. This program specifically targets Chinese students in North America.
Why is China planning a free trip for US influencers
Beijing is inviting American influencers to visit China for 10 days in July, with all expenses covered, in an effort to boost people-to-people connections and showcase the ‘Real China.’ This initiative aims to foster cultural exchange despite recent tensions in US-China relations. The move aligns with President Xi Jinping’s call for increased interactions between Chinese and American institutions, including his plan to bring 50,000 American students to China
Locations planned for the trip include
The trip will take influencers to five Chinese cities – Suzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Handan, and Beijing – where they’ll visit e-commerce hubs and companies like Xiaohongshu Technology Co. and BYD Co. They’ll also get to livestream from the Great Wall and participate in cultural activities like Tai Chi. Additionally, they’ll collaborate with Chinese social media influencers and have their work promoted through China’s state media, facilitating an exchange of ideas and perspectives
