~ Linn Maung ~
Some of the Vloggers, social media experts, and YouTubers from West are increasingly showing ‘China love’ in their content in recent times. There are also coordinated videos doing round online that are repeatedly twisting facts about human rights violations of Uyghurs community in north-west Xinjiang region. These influencers are suspected of spreading China’s propaganda online and are acting as agents of Communist Party of China (CCP). Though YouTube has labeled Chinese-media broadcasters like CGTN as government funded, but very little policing is done on independent content creators. So, what is actually enticing these western content creators and influencers, and how effective this China’s strategy is?
YouTube and other social media platforms generally label videos posted as state-funded or other, but videos posted by influencers somehow are not found to be violating any guidelines. These pro-China influencers are also found to be having privileged access to some cities and organizations in China. Some famous western vloggers such as Barrie Jones, Jason Lightfoot and father-and-son team Lee and Oli Barrett, have helped spread CCP’s propaganda. One of the video of influencer Lee Barrett was taken up BBC news where he was seen making comments that China Radio International will take care of his transport, flights, and accommodation if a rosy picture is painted of his and his son’s trip to China, but later he denied getting paid for spreading disinformation. In an another scenario, a video made by Barrie Jones titled “How do some Western media twist facts about Xinjiang?” highlighted China as a victim and hid true details of Uyghur exploitation in Xinjiang. The same video was once picked up in government briefing in China. Jones too denied of being paid for the video and was presented as a credible voice by Chinese ministry.
This spurt in pro-China reporting on social media is a result of well though-out plan by Chinese regime where they invite young influencers on a lavish, all-expense-paid 10-day trip to China. They would get a red carpet treatment, hosted by Chinese companies, in pretext of brand collaboration and in return would be paid big bucks, but with a disclaimer “praise China.” Many influencers from the US, Russia, Israel, and even Taiwan, and Tibet have taken the bait and have become part of China’s propaganda war. A recruitment drive is initiated where criteria, such as pro-China focus, high number of subscribers, and opinion shifting skill, need to be met to join China’s network of foreign influencers with millions of followers. These influencers would act as ‘stringers’ for Chinese government and asked to visit Chinese cities, prominent organizations, government setups, and be a part of cultural activities to createan aura of positivity through livestreaming, selfies, and show the so-called ‘real’ China.
Some of them who are famous in their countries would be asked to create videos on global trade, technology, EV, and geopolitics, but while keeping a pro-China narrative. Chinese cities like Suzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Handan and Beijing would be shown as ultra-modern, but details such as human rights abuses, income instability, policy failure, and repression would be kept out of picture. These influencers would often claim in their videos that the entire West is spreading “lies” about China and its policies when actually everything is normal. The videos created would have a commentary on daily life of an average Chinese citizen and favorable political reflection of Chinese leaders. Some videos would even defend China against topics ranging from One Child policy, Covid-19, territorial claims, to Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
As per a report in Taipei Times some Taiwanese influencers were paid more than NT$20 million a year for collaborating with at least 10 Chinese companies. China-funded media outlet CGTN claimed that there are more that 700 pro-China influencers globally who have strong visibility and get bonuses for their videos. Some reports also claim China is also offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 to reporters, podcasters, presenters and influencers who join their pool of content creators.
In 2023, Chinese fast fashion brand Shein, which has been accused of using forced labor and other human rights abuses, invited influencers on an all-expenses-paid trip to its manufacturing facilities in Guangzhou. Similarly, a recent video by famous US influencer iShowSpeed aka Darren Watkins Jr about his visit to China’s technology hub Shenzhen is going viral. He live streamed his visit ordering burger by drone, jumping onto a flying car, and checking out a Huawei smartphone. This was a clearest example of a Western influencer promoting China on his channel.
YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, SnapChat and X are prominent social media channels where youth between 18 to 24 years interact. China wants to tap into the mindset of the youth, especially from the West, hoping they would overlook the country’s questionable track record marred by human rights abuses, South China Sea bullying, and illegal territorial claims. Also, with a trade tariff war going on with US president Donald Trump by having the youth by its side China may hope to swing some decisions in its favor.
#MeKongNews
