Gen Z Loves China. Nobody Knows Why.

When Shanghai finally reopened after Covid, I honestly wondered whether any foreigners would return.

⏩ Fast-forward to 2025: on Nanjing Road I hear German, French and Korean every five steps – and most of those voices belong to twenty-something couples.

It got me thinking: How did China’s image transform so fast for Gen Z in the West?

Back home, my German friends stay sceptical. In the US it’s similar: 77 % of adults still see China in a negative light. Boomers hear “China” and picture the Communist Party, trade wars, balloons over Montana.

But Gen Z? They’re experiencing China through TikTok trends, crazy-affordable tech, and viral food clips.

Take IShowSpeed’s Visit:

When the American streamer Darren Watkins Jr. ("IShowSpeed") hit Shanghai in March, he live-streamed for six hours straight.

He freaked out over subway Wi-Fi speeds, test-drove Xiaomi’s new SU7, and even backflipped on the Great Wall in a Dongbei jacket.

Overnight, clips racked up millions of views. Beijing’s propaganda team couldn’t have scripted it half as well.

So Why the Gen Z Love? Here’s My Take:

📲 Tech That Doesn’t Break the Bank: $300 Android phones? Shein’s 1-click checkout? Chinese brands solve real problems at pocket-money prices.

 🎥 "Borrow-a-Boat" Diplomacy: China invites influencers like Speed, Emma Chamberlain, or the Sidemen to just explore. Raw content beats official messaging every time.

♻️ Green = Cool: A BYD electric car costs less than a used Corolla—and looks way sleeker on your TikTok.

🍜 The Real Gap: Boomers see politics. Zoomers see ¥30 hotpot, bullet trains, and dumpling tutorials.

What do you think? Has seeing China through influencers’ eyes changed your perspective? 

Stay curious, 

Thomas