“Single handedly improving global relations”: Fans react as Chinese govt reportedly praises IShowSpeed for promoting positive relations with US

I Show Speed
I Show Speed (image via Instagram)

Youtuber IShowSpeed promotes friendly relations between China and USA through his content as fans comment:

"Single handedly improving global relations."

Darren Watkins Jr, better known through his YouTube tag, IShowSpeed, was recently on a trip to China, where he visited the cities of Beijing and Shanghai and streamed Non-Stop for six hours. The video for the same streams ran on Monday and Tuesday and garnered about 10 million views altogether.

While visiting, the streamer, who has 37 million YouTube followers, played ping-pong and basketball with locals, did a backflip on the Great Wall, tried Chinese street food, and visited the Forbidden City. He also played table tennis with Chinese KPOP idol Jackson Wang, which he ultimately lost. But that's not all, as the 20-year-old streamer also gave an unfiltered and culturally rich review of the country.

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IShowSpeed, who the locals call "Hyperthyroidist” (甲亢哥) due to his big eyes and mannerisms that seemingly remind the netizens that someone is suffering from Hyperthyroidism, a name you can also find on his Chinese socials, portrayed the country in quite a positive light. He praised the locals for their hospitality and talked about all round internet connectivity, including on transportation, as well as the cleanliness in the cities. Though unbeknownst to him, he helped reverse decades of anti-Chinese propaganda.

This comes at a time when there are ongoing trade issues between the countries while China is also simultaneously promoting itself as a major tourist destination. The impact of his coverage caused an uproar on social media, leading China’s embassy in Washington to also respond:

"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. 🇨🇳#240hourvisafree #chinatravel"

Fans react to IShowSpeed's vibrant image

Fans all over held the same appreciation for IShowSpeed for showcasing the real, modern and vibrant image of the country.

"Speed is resolving international relationship doing backflips lmao,"- one user said.
Another commented,- "Bro's gonna be the next global ambassador fr."
One user hilarioulsy stated,- "Honestly, Speed might be the only one wild enough to unite the world right now."
while another exlaimed,- "Hell yeah, I’m all for it—dude’s streaming chaos and somehow flexing diplomacy like a boss."

Chinese vlogger Li Sanjin, also responded to Speed's portrayal and high praises of the country, saying:

"As he continues his journey in other Chinese cities, IShowSpeed is not just entertaining or personal adventure, but he is also providing a fresh channel for the world to discover the authentic and unfiltered China beyond biased headlines and unfriendly stereotypes."
Edited by Sarah Nazamuddin Harniswala
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