What Makes the “China Craze” So Popular? This Program Helps You Understand Contemporary China
In 2025, Chinese-American girl Zhu Xirui became many people’s “Chinese cousin” on TikTok, sparking a wave of enthusiasm around “becoming Chinese.” In spring 2026, “spending May Day in China” even trended on overseas social media platforms. In Zhangjiajie’s Bailong Elevator, English, Korean, and Spanish voices filled the air; along the Li River in Yangshuo, Bamboo rafts were crowded with visitors from home and abroad.
Why are people from different countries and regions falling in love with China?
Recently, Hunan Broadcasting System launched a theory-based documentary, Cheers to Chinese Modernization, which may offer some answers.
The program deconstructs the underlying logic of “falling in love with China” through everyday life. Presented in an innovative “cyber lecture” format, it combines perspectives from both Chinese and international experts, alongside local content creators, and is produced using both studio and on-location filming. Since its release, it has sparked widespread discussion across China and internationally, providing international audiences with an accessible window into contemporary China.
Micro Stories Explaining a Macro Theme
How can “Chinese modernization” move from theory into the everyday lives of Chinese people? The program seeks answers through the changing details of ordinary people’s lives.
Rather than remaining at the level of abstract concepts, it breaks down the historical origins, leadership, essential requirements, and future vision of Chinese modernization into vivid scenes from daily life. From older generations’ memories of sewing machines, black-and-white televisions, and bulky mobile phones to today’s AI-powered smart lifestyles, the program uses tangible evidence across time to weave together a vivid picture of development.
Its strong resonance stems from its innovative presentation. A futuristic “cyber lecture” stage integrates storytelling, field visits, and cross-border interviews. The program also features nine internationally renowned scholars, including Zhang Weiwei, Martin Jacques, and Kishore Mahbubani, alongside eight influential young content creators such as Luke Wen and Thought Experiment Lab.
Academic depth is complemented by fresh online perspectives, creating a format that resonates strongly with younger audiences and encourages voluntary sharing. Many young viewers said the program helped them better understand China’s development and identify opportunities within the rapidly changing era.
Everyday Life Moments That Resonate with the Public
What truly propelled the program into the spotlight is its focus on the daily lives of ordinary Chinese people..
One widely discussed segment, documented by content creator “Pingyuangongzi Zhao Sheng” showcases drone delivery services along the Yangtze River. Cargo ship crews can order milk tea and prepared meals while traveling, with drones using the Beidou Navigation Satellite System and 5G communications to deliver items accurately across the river. Large-scale infrastructure and cutting-edge technology are transformed into everyday convenience, allowing audiences to experience firsthand what it means for development to benefit people and for technology to serve society.
Another widely shared segment highlights China’s unified Power system dispatch. By comparing it with the power grid failures experienced in Texas during severe winter storms, the program illustrates the advantages of coordinated cross-regional resource allocation. Many viewers commented that unified dispatch enables effective responses to major challenges and disasters, while reliable electricity itself is a source of everyday well-being.
The program also presents stories such as the joy of a young woman from Xinjiang following the completion of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, ecological improvements resulting from the Yangtze River’s ten-year fishing ban, and advances in accessible healthcare and eldercare services. Through these stories, Chinese modernization is grounded in real people and real experiences.
This approachable documentary not only helps audiences understand China from multiple perspectives but also reveals the underlying logic behind its development. Some European viewers remarked that Chinese modernization may offer a new point of reference for the world.
Governance Logic Resonates Globally
As a program designed for international audiences, Cheers to Chinese Modernization incorporates global perspectives from the outset, featuring insights from several prominent overseas scholars.
Singaporean scholar Kishore Mahbubani notes in the program that China’s success lies in striking a balance between the “invisible hand” of the market and the “visible hand” of effective governance. In his view, China has managed to unleash market vitality while maintaining strong governance capacity—an achievement that is difficult to accomplish. Following the broadcast, his remarks spread widely online, with many viewers praising his objective interpretation of China’s development model and describing him as a scholar who truly understands China.
British scholar Martin Jacques also sparked considerable discussion through his analysis of the challenges posed by short-termism in the West. Drawing on developments in British politics and economics, he contrasts them with China’s long-term planning and strategic consistency, offering international audiences a new perspective on Chinese modernization.
The inclusion of these third-party international voices not only enhances the program’s credibility but also strengthens the global appeal and communicative power of China’s story.
From livelihoods to technology, from environmental protection to culture, Cheers to Chinese Modernization seeks to answer not only why China has succeeded, but also where Chinese modernization is heading. Through a youthful, international, and story-driven approach, it brings theory closer to the public and allows the world to observe a continually evolving modern China through authentic stories from everyday life.
Media ContactCompany Name: Oushinet Contact Person: Fiona QiaoEmail: Send EmailCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.oushinet.com/static/content/china/chinanews/2026-06-25/1519735215029884927.html
