US influencer IShowSpeed’s view of China makes him accidental ambassador

The 20-year-old’s live streaming videos of his tour of Chinese cities win praise from analysts and government officials

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Analysts in China said influencers like Darren Watkins Jnr, 20, could inspire more foreigners to visit the country. Photo: YouTube/IShowSpeed

Published: 5:02pm, 4 Apr 2025Updated: 7:07pm, 4 Apr 2025

US audiences were given a rare glimpse of Chinese-made electric vehicles and other hi-tech advances when a 20-year-old American influencer live-streamed his travels across China on YouTube.

Darren Watkins Jnr’s IShowSpeed channel hit 38 million followers as he live streamed from Hong Kong on Friday. He had previously visited a number of mainland cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Chengdu.

Watkins, who started his whirlwind tour on March 24, sat in the passenger seat for an EV test drive in Shanghai while viewers peppered the live streaming with comments and expressions of approval.

In Chongqing, Watkins was filmed in a car park where a different EV was showing its dancing abilities – a moment that had Chinese internet users cheering him in appreciation for showing American viewers the advanced side of their country.

The success of the videos – each one lasted from four to six hours and attracted tens of million of views – has made Watkins an accidental ambassador for Chinese development and culture.

Analysts said that influencers like Watkins could inspire more foreigners to visit the country and called on Beijing to foster similar activities by making entry easier and being more open and inclusive.