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Is China the new cool? How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war

  • Written by Shaoyu Yuan, Research Scientist at the Division of Global Affairs, Rutgers University - Newark

IShowSpeed, a 20-year-old American YouTuber and internet star, recently livestreamed hourslong tours of Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, showcasing the locations to some of his nearly 40 million viewers.

During the March events, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., marveled at friendly locals, spotless streets and...

Read more: Is China the new cool? How Beijing is using pop culture to win the soft power war

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