IShowSpeed, a 20-year-old American YouTuber, drew massive attention by livestreaming his travels through Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, sharing his positive impressions with nearly 40 million followers. Enthralled by the hospitality, clean urban environments, and modern infrastructure, he sparked a flood of glowing comments online about China.
These streams caught the attention of Chinese state media, which praised his content for countering Western narratives and influencing a younger, global audience’s perception of China. His viral popularity exemplifies how China’s soft power efforts are increasingly connecting with international youth through social media.
Soft power—the ability to shape preferences through attraction rather than force—was historically dominated by the U.S., especially during the Cold War. American culture, through music, fashion, and film, was exported globally as a symbol of freedom and modernity.
Figures like Michael Jackson were once cultural ambassadors of an idealized America. However, the dynamics are changing. The emergence of influencers like IShowSpeed amplifies how Chinese culture is being positively showcased by foreigners, marking a reversal of traditional East-West influence flows.
Chinese Films and Games Redefine Global Entertainment and Expand Cultural Influence Abroad
Once considered niche, Chinese cinema is now gaining serious global traction. In early 2025, the animated feature Ne Zha 2 became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, with global earnings surpassing $2 billion. State media quickly framed the film as a symbol of China’s creative prowess.
Other hits, such as Detective Chinatown 1900, further solidified China’s growing cinematic footprint. These films not only attract large domestic audiences but also compete with Hollywood on the international stage, reshaping global expectations of what blockbuster entertainment can look like.
IShowSpeed’s Viral China Tour Highlights Beijing’s Rising Soft Power and Shifting Global InfluenceChina’s impact on the gaming industry is another facet of its soft power strategy. Black Myth: Wukong, developed in Hangzhou, impressed global audiences with its high-quality gameplay and mythological roots in Journey to the West. The game, released in 2024, won major awards and rivaled Western franchises in popularity.
For Chinese soft power, this success represents more than just entertainment—it’s about immersing global youth in Chinese stories, characters, and aesthetics. In doing so, the cultural narrative subtly shifts eastward, legitimizing Chinese mythologies as part of the global mainstream.
TikTok’s Global Reach Signals China’s Growing Cultural Power in the Digital Age
Perhaps the most potent example of China’s digital soft power is TikTok. With 1.6 billion monthly users in 2025, the app facilitates the global spread of diverse cultures—all within a platform owned by a Chinese company. From viral dances to international music trends, TikTok shapes global culture in a way that traditional media never could.
Despite geopolitical concerns in countries like the U.S., the app remains immensely popular, illustrating how deeply Chinese-designed platforms have penetrated Western digital life and how cultural influence now flows through algorithms as much as airwaves.
While China’s rise in global soft power is clear, it does not guarantee uncontested dominance. Its authoritarian political model continues to limit its appeal in many democratic societies. Still, through targeted investments in culture, technology, and education, China is steadily expanding its cultural influence around the world.
In contrast, the United States risks falling behind—reducing foreign aid, tightening visa policies, and neglecting cultural diplomacy. The path forward is evident: unless the U.S. reinvigorates its soft power strategy, it may forfeit its cultural leadership to a more proactive and strategically positioned China that is already capturing the attention and admiration of global youth.