Free 10-day China trip: All-expenses-paid tour offered to U.S. Influencers— Here's why?

Time of India

a day ago

China offers a 10-day free trip to US Influencers: This July, China is offering a free 10-day, all-expense-paid trip to American social media creators as part of its "China-Global Youth Influencer Exchange Program."
The program, which aims to change the global perspective through digital diplomacy, encourages well-known influencers to visit Chinese sites and e-commerce sites, as well as regional partnerships with local content producers, to get a firsthand look at Chinese culture.
This calculated action supports Beijing's efforts to increase soft power, particularly in light of the ongoing tensions between the US and China. The ad draws attention to how diplomacy is evolving in the twenty-first century, where influence is shaped just as much online as at political gatherings.
About China-Global Youth Influencer Exchange Program
According to recruitment posts by Chinese state-affiliated media outlets, such as the China Youth Daily, the program, called the "China-Global Youth Influencer Exchange Program," aims to recruit young social media influencers with at least 300,000 followers to work with Chinese content creators.
According to a different article in College Daily, a magazine that focuses on Chinese students in North America, candidates for the exchange program who are based in the US must "love Chinese culture" and "have no history of bad behaviours."
It urged Chinese students studying abroad to recommend influential people in their networks to apply, and it stated that the chosen applicants would receive an official invitation from China and special help from the government in obtaining their visas.
Where will the US Influencers go to travel in China?
In addition to covering China's e-commerce hubs and the corporate offices of enterprises like Xiaohongshu Technology Co. and BYD Co., the tour aims to take participants through five Chinese cities: Suzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Handan, and Beijing.
According to the posts, the influencers will also be able to live-stream their visit to the Great Wall and engage in cultural activities like Taichi. The agreement will include exchanging ideas with Chinese social media influencers and promoting their work through China's official media.
Who will be eligible for this program?
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, "love Chinese culture," and "have no history of bad behaviours," according to a post in College Daily. This publication specifically targets Chinese students in North America, according to the report.
Why is China planning for a 10-day free trip for US influencers?
In an attempt to increase people-to-people interactions and promote the "real China," Beijing is asking American influencers to travel through the nation for 10 days in July, all expenses paid.
The program represents an attempt to increase cultural contacts, even if geopolitical, technological, and trade challenges have caused a decline in U.S.-China relations in recent months.
President Xi Jinping, who had earlier announced a plan to bring 50,000 American students to China, called for expanded interactions between Chinese and American institutions last year.
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