Chinese authorities are inviting US-based social media influencers to participate in a fully-funded, 10-day tour of China in July.
The trip is part of the “China-Global Youth Influencer Exchange Programme”, a state-backed initiative designed to promote people-to-people exchanges and showcase the “real China”.
According to state-affiliated media including China Youth Daily, the programme seeks young social media influencers with at least 300,000 followers.
The aim is for these creators to collaborate with Chinese content producers and build cross-cultural digital narratives.
Influencers are expected to livestream parts of their trip and share content widely, with support from Chinese state media for promotion.
Posts in College Daily, which caters to Chinese students in North America, outline the eligibility requirements. Applicants must be active on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X.
They must also “love Chinese culture” and have “no history of bad behaviours”. The publication urged Chinese students overseas to nominate influencers from their networks.
Those selected will receive an official invitation and visa assistance directly from the Chinese government.
State media support and strategic messaging
The itinerary includes stops in five cities: Suzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Handan and Beijing. Influencers will visit e-commerce hubs and company headquarters, such as those of Xiaohongshu Technology Co and BYD Co.
Cultural experiences like Taichi lessons and livestreaming visits to landmarks including the Great Wall are also planned.
Collaborations with Chinese social media influencers will be a key feature of the tour. The selected US participants will co-develop content with their Chinese counterparts.
Their content is expected to receive amplification through state-run media platforms.
Beijing’s wider influence strategy
This programme aligns with previous efforts by Beijing to improve China-US relations at the societal level.
In 2024, President Xi Jinping proposed expanding university exchanges and pledged to host 50,000 US students in China.
In recent years, Chinese state media have praised Western influencers for content that presents a positive image of China, especially since Covid-19.
A 2023 report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute highlighted China’s support for over 120 foreign influencers, mostly active on Chinese platforms.
These influencers were said to receive help in exchange for favourable content that aligns with official narratives, demonstrating China’s increasing reliance on soft power through digital media.
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