Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng has formally acknowledged the burgeoning ‘Becoming Chinese’ social media phenomenon during a public address in Philadelphia on January 28. The diplomatic official extended a welcoming invitation to American citizens to visit China and personally engage with its cultural landscape, marking a significant diplomatic outreach effort.
Ambassador Xie’s remarks represent the first official Chinese response to the organic trend that has gained substantial traction across various American social media platforms. The movement features content creators and ordinary users exploring and adopting aspects of Chinese culture, lifestyle, and customs in their daily lives.
The ambassador’s Philadelphia appearance served as a strategic platform to address growing American interest in Chinese cultural elements. His comments emphasized the importance of direct cultural exchange and firsthand experience as foundations for mutual understanding between the two nations.
This diplomatic overture occurs amid ongoing efforts to stabilize Sino-American relations through cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. The ambassador’s recognition of this grassroots social media trend signals China’s willingness to engage with organic cultural movements that emerge outside formal diplomatic channels.
The invitation extended to American travelers aligns with China’s broader strategy of promoting cultural soft power and enhancing international perception through tourism and cultural exchange programs. This approach recognizes the growing influence of social media trends in shaping cross-cultural perceptions and international relations.