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Finding each other through the algorithm: one year as a ‘local’ on China’s social media

2026-01-28 14:22   环球时报网英文版

  I enjoy looking at posts from other users and friends, especially those showing food, such as bubble tea, and preparation videos of Chinese dishes. There are so many posts about places users have visited in China, showcasing the culture and beautiful scenery. I also appreciate a little humor, such as posts about "Chinese cowboy" and "Chinese Trump."

  Over the past year, I"ve had many interactions with Chinese netizens - chatting in group chats and sharing posts, and even having long conversations. With some of them, we"ve even added each other on WeChat. Many of these friends have been incredibly kind and welcoming, and through our conversations, we"ve learned a lot about each other.

  There are several good friends that I met on Chinese social media platform who live in China and have left a deep impression on me.

  The first person lives in Shanghai and is also a fan of Ren Jialun. Although we followed each other because of our shared interest in celebrities, over the year we have talked about our personal lives, sharing photos and posts, and discussing family and kids. We have complemented, inspired, and given each other advice. This person has answered my questions and shared posts about Chinese culture, suggesting books for me to read. We have also talked about American and Chinese culture, exploring the similarities and differences. After a year, I now see this person as more than just a good friend, but a real sister. She will be the first person I plan to visit when I go to China.

  The next person is from Jiangsu Province. One day, he offered to get a Kirby plushie for my son since I couldn"t find one in the US. I was really touched by his kindness, and I"ve enjoyed helping his son with English whenever I can. We have done video chats on WeChat, chatting face-to-face online, meeting family members from both our families, and sharing our personal lives and culture. It has been really eye-opening.

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