Foreigner era 2.0: localized 'Laowai'
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The phrase laowai normally refers to an expat living in China, who not only knows basic Chinese but is prepared to bargain at any retail store. In recent times, however, there has also been a rise of a new type of expat group, who break the stereotype of a typical laowai.
Erik Nilsson
Erik Nilsson, an American journalist who currently works as a senior reporter and editor, barely knew a word of Chinese when he moved to China in 2006; however, during the past ten years, while traveling to dozens of Chinese provinces, Nilsson has picked up the language. He has also published more than 20 books ―in English and in Chinese.
In 2016, Nilsson was granted the Friendship Award by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA). It is the highest award for foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the country's economic and social progress.
Thomas Derksen
Thomas Derksen, also known as "A Fu" by netizens, is a man from Germany known for his online videos. He has gained more than 180 million views– on streaming platforms – across the 66 videos he created and uploaded.
"A Fu" has also become widely known for his fluent Mandarin and Shanghai dialect. He uploads videos talking about his day to day life with a Chinese wife, and his mother-in-law, and his confusions on social topics, including mianzi and the difficulty of getting a license plate in Shanghai.
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Raz Gal Or
Raz Gal Or, otherwise known as Gao Yousi (高佑思), is an Israeli man who moved to Hong Kong with his family in 2007 when he was 13. He studied International Relations at the Peking University in 2014 and then founded the Foreigner Research Institute–an online platform which creates humorous videos about the life of expats in China.
The platform not only makes localized content catered to Chinese audience but also runs in a very interactive way with its followers. In recent days, due to its huge fan base, the platform is attracting notable companies like Meitu and Tantan and TV stations including CCTV.
Localized foreigners
As Gao said, China has ushered in the "Foreigner Era 2.0", which stands for "localized foreigners".These types of expats to China are generally engaged within the Chinese community, and can speak the language and fully grasp the subtleties of Chinese humor.
Satisfied in China
'Localized foreigners' are also pretty happy to explore the conveniences in China. Their state of living amuses, and surprises a lot of Chinese netizens who discover, unlike foreigners of former generations. Today’s expats have an incredibly deep and comprehensive understanding of Chinese culture and society.
A digital era
"There are many more people using social networks in China than there are in Germany," A Fu, said in an interview.
"In Germany, it would take many more years to get so many followers."
Since a Chinese person’s life has become highly digitized, thanks to the prominence of all kinds of apps, it has hugely facilitated the flow of information and provided an important platform in which people – like Nilsson, A Fu and Gao – can follow the trend and serve a large amounts of viewers.
"Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters?"
In line with this phrase from Confucian Analects, Chinese people have long been friendly to people from all over the world.
Thanks to the reform and opening up, with the economic boom and recent Belt and Road initiative, the younger generation of Chinese citizens are learning to abandon stereotypes when speaking, or thinking, of foreigners.
The same goes for foreigners living in China who, after living in local community, begin to have their own “Chinese dream” and want to pursue self-fulfillment in this land.
How do you see the "Foreigner Era 2.0"? Which Internet stars impress you most? Share your opinions with us!
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Editors: Shen Yiming, Zou Le (intern)