As China approaches the final year of its 14th Five-Year Plan in 2025, international attention turns to the nation's cultural influence through the eyes of global youth. Young people from three continents reveal how Chinese pop culture has reshaped their perceptions through technology and entertainment.
Aluwani Mavhungu, a South African content creator, credits short-video platform Douyin with bridging cultural gaps. "You experience real Chinese life – from street food to traditional festivals – all through creative 15-second clips," she told CGTN Stringer. The app's algorithm, which tailors content to user preferences, has become an unexpected cultural ambassador.
Brazilian gaming enthusiast Gabriel Gavazzi highlights China's growing soft power in digital entertainment. His praise for Black Myth: Wukong – a game inspired by classical literature – underscores China's successful fusion of ancient mythology with cutting-edge technology. "The gameplay mechanics rival global AAA titles while maintaining authentic Chinese artistic elements," Gavazzi observed.
These perspectives align with China's Five-Year Plan objectives to boost cultural exports and digital innovation. French student Émilie Rousseau noted increased accessibility to Chinese music and dramas through streaming platforms: "The production quality and storytelling depth now compete directly with Western media."
As Generation Z becomes increasingly connected through digital platforms, China's cultural exports appear poised for continued global expansion – blending tradition with technological prowess to captivate international audiences.
