China Memes & Viral
Before the Xi-Biden Meeting: Chinese Social Media Views of American President Biden
From being dubbed the ‘Sleepy King’ to being hailed as ‘Revive the Country’ Biden, the US President is perceived in various ways on Chinese social media.
“It is a meeting the whole world will be watching,” one Weibo blogger wrote. On November 15, Xi Jinping and Joe Biden will meet in California on the sidelines of the APEC summit for their second face-to-face meeting since 2020. The occasion will mark Xi’s first trip to the U.S. in six years.
The topic was reported by official channels on Chinese social media using different hashtags, such as “Sino-American Heads of State Meeting” (#中美元首会晤#) and “What Major Issues Will Be Discussed During the Sino-U.S. Summit?” (#中美元首会晤将沟通哪些重大问题#).
The two leaders are expected to discuss various bilateral and global issues. Although Chinese media described the goal of the meetings in very general terms, saying Xi and Biden will talk about “strategic, global, and directional issues concerning China-U.S. relations as well as major matters related to world peace,” US officials said that topics will include the Israel-Hamas war, Taiwan, and the war in Ukraine.
While discussions of this nature, particularly on geopolitical matters, are typically closely monitored on Weibo—especially when President Xi is involved—there are still some online threads where netizens express optimism, viewing the meeting as a positive step for the stability and future of US-China relations.
A Terra Cotta warrior embraces the Statue of Liberty. Image circulating on WeChat in the days leading up to the Xi-Biden meeting.
Many of these optimistic sentiments stem from a response to an op-ed published by People’s Daily. The op-ed argues that maintaining stable relations between the US and China, fostering peaceful coexistence, is crucial for global future and world peace.
However, discussions about Biden on Chinese social media aren’t always this positive and restrained.
Biden Sleepy King
During and after the 2020 American presidential elections, there were numerous discussions on Chinese social media about ‘Trump versus Biden.’ In the eyes of many, it was a contest between the ‘King of Knowing’ (懂王) and the ‘Sleepy King’ (睡王).
These nicknames were attributed to Trump, who frequently boasted about his unparalleled understanding of various matters, and Biden, who gained notoriety for being older and tired. Viral videos, some manipulated, showed him nodding off or seemingly disoriented.
Image of ‘Sleepy King’ aka ‘Sleepy Joe Biden’ shared on Chinese Q&A platform Zhihu.com.
When Biden became president, many Chinese social media users cheered and hoped that this new experienced president, who had also faced family and personal tragedies throughout his political career, would contribute to an improvement in Sino-American relations. They expected that Biden, different from Trump, would be less confrontational and more predictable, albeit more “boring” as well.
However, as we discussed in this 2020 article, various Chinese political commentators suggested that the Biden era would not necessarily signify better relations between China and the US, and that the shift of American leadership would have no intrinsic meaning for Sino-American relations at all.
Revive the Country Biden
In recent years, Biden has come to be referred to with the Chinese nickname “Revive the Country Biden” (Bài Zhènhuá 拜振华), also translatable as ‘Thriving China Biden’. This nickname already circulated online since 2020 and matches with one that was previously given to former President Trump, namely that of “Build the Country Trump” (Chuān Jiànguó 川建国).
The idea behind these humorous monikers is that both Trump and Biden are benefitting China by doing a poor job in running the United States and dealing with China.
For instance, citing national-security concerns, both the Trump and Biden administrations have implemented policies and sanctions targeting Huawei. But despite measures to cut the Chinese tech giant off, Huawei launched its own operating system (HarmonyOS) in 2019 and earlier this year, with the launch of its Mate60Pro, introduced its own nanometer (N+2) chip, designed by Huawei’s chip division HiSilicon and manufactured by China’s largest chip vendor, SMIC.
Chinese social media users therefore joke that ‘Revive the Country Biden’ and ‘Build the Country Trump’ are actually the best Huawei brand ambassadors by pushing the Chinese tech brand to the next level.
An AI-generated image shows ‘Revive the Country Biden’ and ‘Build the Country Trump’ as Huawei brand ambassadors.
Biden the Huawei brand ambassador, via Douyin.
When Donald Trump recently mocked how President Biden often seems to be disoriented on stage, the video was picked up by a few popular Chinese bloggers and set off dozens of jokes about the absurdity of the situation.
After President Biden was filmed as he seemed unsure what to do during the November 11 wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery, footage also went trending on Chinese socials. Some people called him a “robot” who needed new batteries.
Earlier this year, Biden also went viral in China when, while delivering a speech to the Canadian parliament, he accidentally said he “applauded China for stepping up.” He quickly corrected himself and clarified he meant to say ‘Canada’ instead of ‘China,’ but Chinese web users joked that it was a Freudian slip and he actually said what he meant.
But besides Biden’s restrictive measures and sanctions on China and a string of bizarre, confused statements and behaviors, there are more reasons why Chinese netizens have been calling him ‘Bai Zhenhua‘, ‘Revive the Country Biden.’ After all, in contrast to how Trump consistently framed China as a threat and competitor, Biden has often downplayed the threat China poses to the US (“They’re not bad folks, folks,” he said in 2019, “they’re not competition for us”).
Chinese memes about ‘Bai Zhenhua’, ‘Revive the Country Biden.’
Joking about his words, some netizens even called him ‘Comrade Bai Zhenhua.’
The Different Faces of Biden
Jokes aside, there are also more serious and negative discussions about the role played by Biden, especially in this time of global unrest and Israel-Hamas war.
Headlines such as Biden personally saying there is “no possibility” of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip or Biden ordering new airstrikes in Syria to retaliate for attacks on U.S. bases, reported by Chinese media, attract a lot of views on Weibo and Douyin.
Although there are also discussions about the supposed limited power Biden actually has, with some calling him one of America’s weakest presidents, he is still seen as the face of the White House, the representation of Washington.
Cartoon depicting Biden as evil, by @插画杨权, 2020.
At a time when anti-American sentiments are on the rise, some netizens view Biden as embodying the negative stereotypes prevalent on social media about the United States or the Western world in general.
Photoshopped image of Biden posted on Weibo (@扎西德勒·天珠收藏 ) in light of Biden ordering new airstrikes on Syria.
Within this context, at a time when the majority of Chinese social media users express pro-Palestinian sentiments, Biden is blamed for contributing to or even causing global suffering. Some netizens label him as the “devil” or associate him with a supposed larger geopolitical evil circle (“The wicked United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Israel… they’re enemies of humanity,” one Douyin user writes).
But not all are so harsh, and some think Biden’s old state and mental state are also to blame for his political decisions. As one Weibo user writes: “After all, Biden is quite old, his health is not particularly good. With so many responsibilities, it’s inevitable that there are things he cannot fully grasp, hear clearly, or contemplate deeply anymore.”
Meanwhile, it is evident that in the days leading up the Xi-Biden meeting Chinese official channels are promoting more positive portrayals of U.S. leadership on social media, with online discussions being tightly controlled. Some media outlets refer to the meeting as ‘a new chapter’ for Sino-American friendship. A day prior to top-level meeting, Xinhua News shared an image with text endorsing and applauding Sino-American exchanges:
“History has already proven that the people of China and the US can fully overcome their differences in systems, culture, and language to establish a profound friendship. The exchanges between the people of China and America are mutually beneficial. Not only are they [these win-win exchanges] the result of independent choices made by the people of both countries, they’re also an unstoppable historical trend.” (“历史已经充分证明，中美两国人民完全可以跨越制度、文化、语言的差异，建立起深厚的友谊。中美民间交流互利共赢，不仅是两国人民做出的自主选择，更是不可阻挡的历史潮流。”)
The comments below the post were censored, and most other comment sections on posts reporting the significant US-China meeting were also empty. One Weibo user commented: “The anti-American netizens don’t know if it’s okay to criticize them now anymore.”
But it seems that directives from higher up have made it clear. For today, perhaps tomorrow, and who knows about the day after, Biden is not the evil, not the Sleepy King nor Bai Zhenhua; he is now a good friend of China.
By Manya Koetse
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China Brands, Marketing & Consumers
Zara Dress Goes Viral in China for Resemblance to Haidilao Apron
Who’s gonna buy this Zara dress in China? “I’m afraid that someone will say I stole the apron from Haidilao.”
A short dress sold by Zara has gone viral in China for looking like the aprons used by the popular Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao.
“I really thought it was a Zara x Haidialo collab,” some customers commented. Others also agree that the first thing they thought about when seeing the Zara dress was the Haidilao apron.
The “original” vs the Zara dress.
The dress has become a popular topic on Xiaohongshu and other social media, where some images show the dress with the Haidilao logo photoshopped on it to emphasize the similarity.
One post on Xiaohongshu discussing the dress, with the caption “Curious about the inspiration behind Zara’s design,” garnered over 28,000 replies.
Haidilao, with its numerous restaurants across China, is renowned for its hospitality and exceptional customer service. Anyone who has ever dined at their restaurants is familiar with the Haidilao apron provided to diners for protecting their clothes from food or oil stains while enjoying hotpot.
These aprons are meant for use during the meal and should be returned to the staff afterward, rather than taken home.
The Haidilao apron.
However, many people who have dined at Haidilao may have encountered the following scenario: after indulging in drinks and hotpot, they realize they are still wearing a Haidilao apron upon leaving the restaurant. Consequently, many hotpot enthusiasts may have an ‘accidental’ Haidilao apron tucked away at home somewhere.
This only adds to the humor of the latest Zara dress looking like the apron. The similarity between the Zara dress and the Haidilao apron is actually so striking, that some people are afraid to be accused of being a thief if they would wear it.
One Weibo commenter wrote: “The most confusing item of this season from Zara has come out. It’s like a Zara x Haidilao collaboration apron… This… I can’t wear it: I’m afraid that someone will say I stole the apron from Haidilao.”
Funnily enough, the Haidilao apron similarity seems to have set off a trend of girls trying on the Zara dress and posting photos of themselves wearing it.
It’s doubtful that they’re actually purchasing the dress. Although some commenters say the dress is not bad, most people associate it too closely with the Haidilao brand: it just makes them hungry for hotpot.
By Manya Koetse
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China Memes & Viral
Chengdu Disney: The Quirkiest Hotspot in China
How a senior activity park in Chengdu was ‘Disneyfied’ and became a viral hotspot.
– By Manya Koetse, co-authored by Ruixin Zhang
Have you heard about Chengdu Disney yet? If not, it’s probably unlike anything you’d imagine. It’s not actually a Disney theme park opening up in Chengdu, but it’s one of the city’s most viral hotspots these days.
What is now known as ‘Chengdu Disney’ all over the Chinese internet is actually a small outdoor park in a residential area in Chengdu’s Yulin area, which also serves as the local senior fitness activity center.
Crowds of young people are coming to this area to take photos and videos, hang out, sing songs, cosplay, and be part of China’s internet culture in an offline setting.
Once Upon a Rap Talent Show
The roots of ‘Chengdu Disney’ can be traced back to the Chinese hip-hop talent show The Rap of China (中国新说唱), where a performer named Nuomi (诺米), also known as Lodmemo, was eliminated by Chinese rapper Boss Shady (谢帝 Xièdì), one of the judges on the show.
Nuomi felt upset about the elimination and a comment made by his idol mentor, who mistakenly referred to a song Nuomi made for his ‘grandma’ instead of his grandfather. His frustration led to a viral livestream where he expressed his anger towards his participation in The Rap of China and Boss Shady.
However, it wasn’t only his anger that caught attention; it was his exaggerated way of speaking and mannerisms. Nuomi, with his Sichuan accent, repeatedly inserted English phrases like “y’know what I’m saying” and gestured as if throwing punches.
His oversized silver chain, sagging pants, and urban streetwear only reinforce the idea that Nuomi is trying a bit too hard to emulate the fashion style of American rappers from the early 2000s, complete with swagger and street credibility.
Lodmemo emulates the style of American rappers in the early 2000s, and he has made it his brand.
Although people mocked him for his wannabe ‘gangsta’ style, Nuomi embraced the teasing and turned it into an opportunity for fame.
He decided to create a diss track titled Xiè Tiān Xièdì 谢天谢帝, “Thank Heaven, Thank Emperor,” a word joke on Boss Shady’s name, which sounds like “Shady” but literally means ‘Thank the Emperor’ in Chinese. A diss track is a hip hop or rap song intended to mock someone else, usually a fellow musician.
In the song, when Nuomi disses Boss Shady (谢帝 Xièdì), he raps in Sichuan accent: “Xièdì Xièdì wǒ yào diss nǐ [谢帝谢帝我要diss你].” The last two words, namely “diss nǐ” actually means “to diss you” but sounds exactly like the Chinese word for ‘Disney’: Díshìní (迪士尼). This was soon picked up by netizens, who found humor in the similarity; it sounded as if the ‘tough’ rapper Nuomi was singing about wanting to go to Disney.
Nuomi and his diss track, from the music video.
Nuomi filmed the music video for this diss track at a senior activity park in Chengdu’s Yulin subdistrict. The music video went viral in late March, and led to the park being nicknamed the ‘Chengdu Disney.’
The particular exercise machine on which Nuomi performed his rap quickly became an iconic landmark on Douyin, as everyone eagerly sought to visit, sit on the same see-saw-style exercise machine, and repeat the phrase, mimicking the viral video.
What began as a homonym led to people ‘Disneyfying’ the park itself, with crowds of visitors flocking to the park, some dressed in Disney-related costumes.
This further developed the concept of a Chengdu ‘Disney’ destination, turning the park playground into the happiest place in Yulin.
Chengdu: China’s Most Relaxed Hip Hop Hotspot
Chengdu holds a special place in China’s underground hip-hop scene, thanks to its vibrant music culture and the presence of many renowned Chinese hip-hop artists who incorporate the Sichuan dialect into their songs and raps.
This is one reason why this ‘Disney’ meme happened in Chengdu and not in any other Chinese city. But beyond its musical significance, the playful spirit of the meme also aligns with Chengdu’s reputation for being an incredibly laid-back city.
In recent years, the pursuit of a certain “relaxed feeling” (sōngchígǎn 松弛感) has gained popularity across the Chinese internet. Sōngchígǎn is a combination of the word for “relaxed,” “loose” or “lax” (松弛) and the word for “feeling” (感). Initially used to describe a particular female aesthetic, the term evolved to represent a lifestyle where individuals strive to maintain a relaxed demeanor, especially in the face of stressful situations.
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The concept gained traction online in mid-2022 when a Weibo user shared a story of a family remaining composed when their travel plans were unexpectedly disrupted due to passport issues. Their calm and collected response inspired the adoption of the “relaxed feeling” term (also read here).
Central to embodying this sense of relaxation is being unfazed by others’ opinions and avoiding unnecessary stress or haste out of fear of judgment.
Nowadays, Chinese cities aim to foster this sense of sōngchígǎn. Not too long ago, there were many hot topics suggesting that Chengdu is the most sōngchí 松弛, the most relaxed city in China.
This sentiment is reflected in the ‘Chengdu Disney’ trend, which both pokes fun at a certain hip-hop aesthetic deemed overly relaxed—like the guys who showed up with sagging pants—and embraces a carefree, childlike silliness that resonates with the city’s character and its people.
Mocking sagging pants at ‘Chengdu Disney.’
Despite the influx of visitors to the Chengdu Disney area, authorities have not yet significantly intervened. Community notices urging respect for nearby residents and the presence of police officers to maintain order indicate a relatively hands-off approach. For now, it seems most people are simply enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
Being Part of the Meme
An important aspect that contributes to the appeal of Chengdu Disney is its nature as an online meme, allowing people to actively participate in it.
Scenes from Chengdu Disney, images via Weibo.
China has a very strong meme culture. Although there are all kinds of memes, from visual to verbal, many Chinese memes incorporate wordplay. In part, this has to do with the nature of Chinese language, as it offers various opportunities for puns, homophones, and linguistic creativity thanks to its tones and characters.
The use of homophones on Chinese social media is as old as Chinese social media itself. One of the most famous examples is the phrase ‘cǎo ní mǎ’ (草泥马), which literally means ‘grass mud horse’, but is pronounced in the same way as the vulgar “f*ck your mother” (which is written with three different characters).
In the case of the Chengdu Disney trend, it combines a verbal meme—stemming from the ‘diss nǐ’ / Díshìní homophone—and a visual meme, where people gather to pose for videos/photos in the same location, repeating the same phrase.
Moreover, the trend bridges the gap between the online and offline worlds, as people come together at the Chengdu playground, forming a tangible community through digital culture.
The fact that this is happening at a residential exercise park for the elderly adds to the humor: it’s a Chengdu take on what “urban” truly means. These colorful exercise machines are a common sight in Chinese parks nationwide and are actually very mundane. Transforming something so normal into something extraordinary is part of the meme.
A 3D-printed model version of the exercise equipment featured in Nuomi’s music video.
Lastly, the incorporation of the Disney element adds a touch of whimsy to the trend. By introducing characters like Snow White and Mickey Mouse, the trend blends American influences (hip-hop, Disney) with local Chengdu culture, creating a captivating and absurd backdrop for a viral phenomenon.
For some people, the pace in which these trends develop is just too quick. On Weibo, one popular tourism blogger (@吴必虎) wrote: “The viral hotspots are truly unpredictable these days. We’re still seeing buzz around the spicy hot pot in Gansu’s Tianshui, meanwhile, a small seesaw originally meant for the elderly in a residential community suddenly turns into “Chengdu Disneyland,” catching the cultural and tourism authorities of Sichuan and even Shanghai Disneyland off guard. Netizens are truly powerful, even making it difficult for me, as a professional cultural tourism researcher, to keep up with them.”
By Manya Koetse, co-authored by Ruixin Zhang
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