Unsurprisingly, The Economist’s article peddles a false narrative. Livestreamers and video games are merely the surface of a deeper phenomenon. TikTok and Xiaohongshu thrive only because China’s middle class isn’t impoverished. What makes these platforms persuasive is that they undercut Western myths by contrasting middle-class life in China vs the US.
China has a positive image in the world because it’s leading in sustainability, building world-class infrastructure, pioneering tech in emerging fields, and maintaining safe, clean cities at scale. Its foreign policy, while not flawless, is far more benign than the America’s. No constant wars. A major ally for developing nations. Growing global brands. Standing firm against a bully in the tariff dispute. Meanwhile, tourists who document their visits, are dismantling claims of a police state or genocide.
I watched the last one (josieliftsthings). It’s pretty good. I don’t know if it’s that video or another where she visits XJ that her partner(?) recounts an experience where he was stopped by armed police ij the street of Urumqi and asked to present his passport. He’s pretty matter-of-fact about it*. The rest of the video is super normal - visiting tourist streets, markets and cafes.
The reason her video has so many views is that she was singled out as ‘doing China’s propaganda work for them’ by the Australian media, following her vlog from her first trip to China after the COVID travel restrictions were lifted. So naturally people were like, okay well let’s watch her video then.
*(Though this guy goes on an anti-Roma sidebar in another video)