Reference News Network, February 25 report: The U.S. "New York Times" website published an article written by Katharine Houghton on February 17, titled "Lubu Diplomacy." The following is a compilation of the article:

China is good at many things: low-cost manufacturing, catching up with artificial intelligence technology, leading the renewable energy industry, enhancing hard power, etc. What it has never been particularly good at is soft power. But this situation seems to be changing. Have you heard of "Ultra-Chineseization"?

Today, my colleague in Beijing, Wang Yuemei, wrote an article explaining why China has suddenly begun to win hearts.

The title of Wang Yuemei's article is "Cool China." Here is the content of the article:

My colleague reported last week about an interesting trend: young people on TikTok are "becoming Chinese": they imitate habits typically considered typical of Chinese people, such as drinking hot water, wearing slippers, and eating porridge.

"Becoming Chinese" (or "Ultra-Chineseization," as you like) may just be a passing trend on TikTok. However, it fits a trend I have noticed recently: more and more people around the world are beginning to think that China is getting cooler.

Several top American influencers, such as YouTube vlogger "Hyperbole and a Half" and streamer Hasan, have visited China and praised its high-speed rail and light shows. NBA star Victor Wembanyama spent 10 days training at Shaolin Temple. A new Adidas jacket inspired by traditional Chinese clothing became a fashion hit. Of course, there is also the "Lubu phenomenon."

Over decades of rise, China has done well in many areas, and it is getting better and better, whether in developing technology, leading supply chains, or strengthening military power. It has always been poor at winning hearts, especially those of Westerners. But now, this situation seems to be reversing. Why?

The Chinese government's foreign communication strategy is wiser, simplifying procedures for foreign tourists entering China is one example. Ordinary tourists can interact with all kinds of Chinese people. Visitors often find it surprising that the daily life of Chinese people is so normal.

But the biggest reason for China's sudden popularity might have little to do with China itself. Scholars believe that when people seek alternatives to the United States, China is clearly the most obvious option.

Even without discussing the most extreme statements of the Trump administration, including threats to annex Greenland and defending the brutality of federal officers in Minneapolis, the outside world generally believes that the United States hasn't even passed basic tests, such as maintaining infrastructure operations. In contrast, China's new high-speed rail is especially attractive.

Ying Zhu, a film studies scholar who researches China's soft power, told me that the political and cultural polarization in the United States "greatly weakened its appeal." She said, "The current appeal of China is more of a reaction to the current situation in the United States."

Regardless of the reasons behind this change in mindset, it has practical implications for how other countries interact with China. Recently, many Western country leaders have visited Beijing to promote trade and cultural exchanges. If internal pressures in these countries decrease, such visits will become easier and more frequent. (Translated by Zhu Li)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7610601453903725092/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.