cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/17947793

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China has been cultivating a network of Western influencers across various platforms to shape global narratives on issues critical to its foreign policy. These influencers come from diverse countries and backgrounds and are lured using a complex and often subtle system of incentives that can be difficult to untangle. Jan Michálek, a Czech TikToker with over a million followers, found himself entangled in this network – a situation he may not have foreseen.

China’s Influencer Army

After returning from an all-expenses-paid trip to Beijing, Michálek found himself accused of spreading Chinese propaganda. The influencer community was quick to criticize him, releasing videos and interviews with titles such as “Czech Influencer Sold Himself to China” or “Honzi Michálek – The Best Chinese Propagandist.” While the case of Jan Michálek may stem from naivety, the phenomenon of Western influencers profiting from spreading Chinese misinformation and disinformation is not new.

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In addition to promoting its narratives abroad, Beijing also leverages Western influencers to reinforce domestic messaging. The perspectives of foreigners, often perceived as both more neutral and “exotic,” can attract Chinese audiences, lending credibility to different narratives about both foreign and domestic policy. This approach mirrors Beijing’s strategy of recruiting influencers from ethnic minority communities to depict regions like Xinjiang and Tibet in a light favorable to the regime.

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Red Carpet Treatment

These mechanisms were apparently unknown to Michálek when he was first contacted by a Czechia-based agency (the influencer did not provide its name) two years ago. The agency offered him a collaboration with a Chinese vlogger who had allegedly studied and lived in Czechia, to help him build a following there. The vlogger produced content featuring traditional Chinese recipes, tea-making, and explorations of Chinese nature. Michálek claims he asked the agency if the vlogger was linked to any suspicious activities and was firmly assured that he was not. Reassured by these responses and the seemingly harmless content, Michálek concluded the collaboration posed no issues.

This is not an isolated case of an influencer being approached by a private agency or company based outside China. For instance, in 2023, Shein – a fast-fashion company founded in China and now based in Singapore, which faces allegations of forced labor and other human rights abuses – invited a group of social media influencers on a paid trip to Guangzhou. This resulted in videos produced by the influencers showcasing clean factories and content workers.

Going back to Michálek, the same agency approached him again about six months ago with an offer of a trip to Beijing, with the Chinese side offering to cover his flights and other expenses and even take him to a destination of his choice. Michálek accepted and chose Guangzhou, where he was accompanied (and filmed) by a Czech-speaking crew from China Radio International (CRI). Not only did Michálek insist that he asked locals “critical questions” and highlighted things he found unusual, but he also claimed he did not feel as though he was promoting anything, which is why he believes CRI never published the footage. It was only after a phone call with an acquaintance that he became concerned about a possibility of the footage being used for propaganda purposes.

All of this follows a familiar Chinese playbook. Individuals who have some influence over domestic discourse – such as politicians, academics, journalists, and increasingly social media influencers – are often approached with seemingly innocent opportunities to discuss shared interests. They may then be invited to visit China, with all expenses covered by the Chinese side. During these visits, they are accompanied by individuals and companies affiliated with the party-state, such as the CRI crew in Michálek’s case, who make sure to attend to their needs while fostering the impression that they are honored guests. These trips are often followed by offers of paid collaborations, which may appear low stakes at first but can ultimately result in unintended consequences, including fostering favorable attitudes toward Chinese narratives among relevant audiences.

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Although influencers like Michálek may face criticism for being paid by Beijing to promote its propaganda, China’s approach to cultivating influencers is often more subtle and difficult to untangle, combining restrictions, nudges, and rewards. The rewards go beyond paid trips to include seminars, contests, campaigns, and other perks. The content influencers post may appear to be their own, yet it is often co-created in specialized influencer studios with the help of so-called “multi-channel networks” (MCNs), which are organizations dedicated to spreading CCP propaganda while helping influencers monetize their content on platforms like YouTube.

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In stark contrast to the favorable treatment of CCP-friendly influencers, Western journalists investigating regions like Xinjiang face harassment, surveillance, and restricted access, while the Chinese public is encouraged to view them as agents of foreign influence.

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[Edit typo.]