Free 10-day China trip: All-expenses-paid tour offered to U.S. Influencers— Here’s why?
Anusha Jain | Jun 11, 2025, 11:28 IST
( Image credit : Indiatimes )
In order to foster a favourable perception of the nation, China is introducing the "China-Global Youth Influencer Exchange Program," which provides American social media influencers with a fully-funded vacation. This program, which reflects China's soft-power policy, attempts to fortify connections in the face of persistent tensions.
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
Beijing woos US influencers with free trip to show ‘real China’
( Image credit : China is inviting American influencers to join a 10-day, all-expense paid trip through the country this July | Credit: Freepik )
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?
Beijing woos US influencers with free trip to show ‘real China’
( Image credit : While relations between China and the US have deteriorated in recent months over issues including geopolitics, technology and trade, the programme marks an effort to boost cultural exchanges | Credit: Freepik )
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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