There are a few Americans on the clock app who are seemingly random folks who have nothing in common but for the fact they live in the country of the owner of the company.

They also get paid through an intermediary of the company to show everyone that the country is the best place in the world to live.

People in the country are unable to upload to the clock app but these people are able because they have special servers they use.

TikTok

China

A growing trend has emerged on TikTok featuring American influencers based in China, painting the country as the ideal place to live. These influencers, often ordinary individuals with no apparent connection to one another, are reportedly paid through intermediaries to showcase pro-China narratives.

While TikTok is banned for the general Chinese population, these influencers enjoy special access through dedicated servers, allowing them to upload content. This setup is part of a broader effort by China to project a positive image to the international community.

Investigations reveal that China’s state media and government-backed initiatives actively recruit influencers to disseminate content highlighting the country’s achievements and culture. In one instance, during the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Chinese Consulate in New York paid U.S.-based firms to hire influencers for similar campaigns.

Meanwhile, regular citizens in China use Douyin, a locally tailored version of TikTok with stricter regulations, keeping international TikTok off-limits for most. Yet, foreigners and select individuals with VPNs or international SIM cards can access the platform.

This practice underscores a strategic approach by China to leverage social media as a tool for soft power, using influencers to subtly shape global perceptions. Whether this will have a lasting impact on public opinion remains to be seen.

Reports indicate that certain American influencers are being compensated to promote China as an ideal place to live, despite the platform being inaccessible to the general Chinese populace. These influencers, residing in China, utilize special servers to upload content to TikTok, a platform banned for regular users in the country.

Investigations have uncovered that China’s state media employs reporters who present themselves as travel bloggers and lifestyle influencers on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. These individuals, such as Li Jingjing, amass large followings by sharing content that subtly disseminates pro-China narratives. – Associated Press