The global embrace of Chinese culture

Still 'becoming Chinese'

The past few years have witnessed a remarkable surge in the global influence of Chinese culture and products, from tasty culinary delights to cutting-edge innovations such as Chinese smartphones and robotics.

The viral sensation of "becoming Chinese" has taken social media by storm, as people worldwide embrace distinctly Chinese lifestyle habits, like sipping hot water, wearing slippers at home, and adopting other cultural elements in their everyday lives.

This phenomenon was sparked by Chinese American content creator Sherry Zhu, who launched a playful and engaging series on Tik-Tok titled "becoming Chinese" in December.

The series, consisting of more than 20 videos, serves as a practical guide to adopting Chinese lifestyle habits and cultural practices. What began as a lighthearted joke among friends has evolved into a global phenomenon.

In the videos, Sherry, who has over 9 million TikTok followers, shares insights into Chinese perspectives on wellness and household customs. Her fun yet informative content inspired a wave of imitators on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

They enthusiastically promote practices like soaking your feet in warm water before bed, sipping ginger tea, and trying acupuncture, further fueling the trend of embracing Chinese-inspired wellness routines.

Zhu said in the past there wasn't much exposure to Chinese culture in the West, however, attitudes are now changing, and there is a more positive approach.

"I feel like this trend is actually opening up more education, and more exploration and appreciation of Chinese culture. People are ... making Chinese culture their own," she said.