American YouTuber Darren Watkins Jr., better known as iShowSpeed, received praise from Chinese state media following his recent streaming tour in China. 

The content creator, who performed a backflip at the Great Wall, is being highlighted by China’s state-run Global Times for presenting aspects of the country “rarely highlighted” in U.S. mainstream narratives.

“The tour has sparked a wave of international interest, particularly among youth, who are being exposed to a side of China rarely highlighted in the U.S. mainstream narratives,” states the Global Times op-ed. The publication adds that experts view this phenomenon as “a broader trend of digital influencers bridging cultural gaps, bringing alternative channels for foreign audiences to understand a real China.”

China’s embassy in Washington further amplified this message by featuring the streamer on their official X account: “The 20-year-old popular American YouTuber #IShowSpeed @ishowspeedsuii has kicked off a journey in #China that has already garnered massive global attention, which indicates a broader trend of digital influencers bridging cultural gaps and creating alternative channels for foreign audiences to understand a vibrant China.”

Asian Tour Viewership

Watkins began his Chinese tour in Shanghai on March 24. His streaming style is characterized by spontaneous interactions with locals, and his unfiltered approach to content creation resonates with his nearly 37 million followers. 

Recent streaming sessions in Shanghai and Beijing generated 5.9 million and 4.5 million views, respectively, with each broadcast exceeding six hours in duration.

Building Bridges

Prior to visiting China, Watkins completed streaming tours across Southeast Asia, South America, Europe, Australia, and India. His global adventures include meetings with political figures such as the Prime Minister of Albania and the Mayor of Lima, Peru, where he received an honorary mayoral title.

Social media commentators noted the cultural diplomacy aspect of his travels, with one user remarking that Speed is “single-handedly making people in the U.S. want to go visit China,” while another observes he’s “making peace between the most powerful countries in the world.”