Foreign Social Media Influencers and the Reconstruction of China’s National Image: A Case Study of “IShowSpeed’s China Tour”

Abstract

The current landscape of international communication is profoundly influenced by social media. The China Travel journey of internet celebrities from various sectors has also injected vitality into International communication. This study investigates the pivotal role of foreign social media influencers in this process, examining how they reconstruct perceptions of China for international audiences. Through an in-depth qualitative case study of the phenomenon-level event, “IShowSpeed’s China Tour”, the findings reveal that unscripted, first-person narratives produced by influencers effectively challenge entrenched stereotypes in Western media and generate positive affective responses among global audiences. Moreover, driven by both the visa-free policy and social media communication, China’s national image is presented to the world in a clearer manner. However, vigilance should be exercised against the performative or excessively flattering discourse practices of some self-media, and a critical mindset is required when hot events in international communication. Overall, the research contributes to the literature on digital diplomacy and international public opinion by offering new insights into how non-state actors reshape national image construction in the age of social media.