At 29 years old I travelled to Africa, After a Year I Decided to Go Back Home

One of vlogger Daxue’s youtube videos documenting his experience buying groceries in a local market in Zambia with his secretary and his bodyguard.

Chinese vloggers in Africa have a mixed track record. On the one hand, some vloggers contribute to dissolving Chinese misconceptions towards Africa/Africans by illuminating what daily life is like in many African countries. On the other hand, some other vloggers exploit Africans through misogynistic beauty contests and so-called “savior videos” where the Chinese host demeaningly hands out stacks of cash or slices of bread to local residents. 

It is fascinating to explore the expanding world of Chinese YouTubers in Africa – the good side of bridging the knowledge gaps between Chinese and African people and the extremely problematic side filled with racism and the abuse of local community members. 

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by Han Zhen

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