A TikTok blogger's video demonstrating traditional Chinese fitness exercises has surpassed one million views; A video showcasing boiling apple cider has garnered millions of views... CNN recently reported that a cultural phenomenon known as "Chinamaxxing" is quietly emerging among young Americans, with "Chinese lifestyles" such as drinking hot water, boiling hot tea, and sharing life fragments on Chinese social media being sought after by a large number of young Americans. “Chinamaxxing”， It is a new internet term that combines "China" and "maxxing" (derived from gaming terminology). Recently, not only in the United States, but also in many countries such as Italy and Australia, young people have joined the online trend of "extreme Sinicization" about Chinese culture. Multiple foreign media outlets have noticed that from the "Becoming Chinese" topic that went viral at the beginning of this year to the latest trend of "extreme Sinicization", the "Chinese style" on overseas social media has emerged one after another. This youthful and down-to-earth form of cross-cultural communication has made the Western "Z generation" obsessed with "cool China". From praising Chinese culture to integrating Chinese cultural elements into daily life, the trend of "extreme Sinicization" reflects the appreciation and acceptance of Chinese culture by many young people in the West. According to a recent report by Newsweek, the "extreme Sinicization" trend that is rising among the "Z generation" in the West, from praising Chinese culture to integrating Chinese cultural elements into daily life, romanticizes Chinese style life and reflects the appreciation and acceptance of Chinese culture by many young people in the West. Along with it, popular phrases such as "become Chinese" and "you met me at a very Chinese moment in my life" have also become popular on overseas social media. The report noted that the upsurge of "extreme sinicization" was not limited to "Chinese lifestyle" such as cooking rice and drinking hot water, but also aroused overseas netizens' interest in Chinese fashion, Chinese Spring Festival culture and other broader topics. For example, some videos focus on introducing Chinese fashion designers, while others discuss how to experience Spring Festival culture in the "most Chinese" way. Analysts believe that in the trend of "extreme Sinicization", the Western "Z generation" is "viewing China's development from an aesthetic perspective". The website of Time magazine in the United States noticed that there were many contents introducing Chinese culture on overseas social media before and after this year's Spring Festival. Many young Americans are enthusiastic about "becoming Chinese" online, embracing the "Chinese era" or pursuing "ultimate Sinicization". Observers analyze that this new trend reflects people's increasing fascination with China as its openness and soft power continue to improve. In the past year, we have seen a global demand for Chinese cultural and creative dolls, queuing up in brand new stores to buy popular Chinese brands of pearl milk tea and coffee, and checking out friends' holiday updates in the 'cyberpunk city' of Chongqing. ”The BBC reported that nowadays, many young people in the West are eagerly sharing videos of themselves "learning to be Chinese" on social media. This cultural craze has added more brilliance to the vigorous development of China's soft power. The Canadian Daily News reported that for a long time, the "Chinese symbols" in the international perspective have mostly been traditional images such as giant pandas, the Great Wall, and Kung Fu. The current trend of "Chinese lifestyle" takes ordinary people's daily lives as the starting point, and through simple and easy methods such as wearing slippers and soaking goji berries, people from different backgrounds can easily experience the warmth of "Chinese style". The "Digital Encounter" refreshes the "Chinese Impression". The spontaneous formation of a Chinese cultural craze through internet memes, games, popular videos and other media is related to China's increasing global visibility. Media outlets such as EFE and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation website believe that internet buzzwords such as "extreme Sinicization" and "becoming Chinese" blend the humor of the younger generation in the West and their curiosity about China, reflecting a shift in people's understanding of Chinese culture. Why did this cognitive shift occur? CNN reports that people are currently attracted to China not purely due to economic factors, but because of its unique charm, including China's relaxation and optimization of transit visa free policies, encouraging more foreigners to travel to China, and so on. In addition, with the influx of a large number of American users into Chinese social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, groups in different online spaces have established direct connections in unprecedented ways. This' digital encounter 'is reshaping the Western' Z generation ''s perception of' cool '. The dazzling skyscrapers with dazzling lights, the spectacular drone formation performances, and the high-speed and convenient Chinese high-speed rail... These video contents that showcase the urban landscape of China are particularly favored by many young people in the West. Through these videos, they not only see a futuristic urban living scene, but also a brand new modern model. UCLA researcher Caroline Outlet stated in a media interview that in the minds of Americans, Chinese people today are different from previous generations, largely because social media makes it easier for people to access information about China. On the internet, Americans see China's convenient public transportation, walkable cities, and bustling night markets. Today's China gives people a feeling of vitality. According to a report on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation website, social media has reshaped many Western young people's perceptions of China and broken people's inherent impressions of China. The Indian website "Money Control" believes that this spontaneous Chinese cultural craze, formed through internet memes, games, popular videos and other media, is related to China's increasing global visibility. Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult for people around the world to ignore various platforms, games, and consumer goods from China. As more Western young people come into contact with Chinese technology products, fashion accessories, electronic games, and applications, their perception of Chinese products is no longer limited to stereotypes such as cheapness, and they bypass the media filters that once shaped their perception through online interaction with Chinese netizens. Chinese culture is redefining the connotation of 'cool'. Chinese culture is stepping onto the world stage in an unprecedented way. It is no longer a mysterious' Eastern symbol 'that needs to be interpreted, but has become close, perceptible, participatory, and resonant. According to an article on the website of The New York Times, a trend is becoming increasingly clear - in the eyes of many young Westerners, China is becoming cooler. Observers have found that in today's overseas media coverage of China, terms such as "cultural trend leader," "China is different," and "real confidence" frequently appear, with accompanying images replaced by drones, robots, and automated factories. Foreign media believe that as "Made in China" develops towards "Created in China," and as hard power increases with soft power, "Chinese culture is redefining the connotation of" cool "in the hearts of young people overseas. According to the Canadian Daily News Network, Chinese culture is stepping onto the world stage in an unprecedented way. It is no longer a mysterious "Eastern symbol" that needs to be interpreted, but has become close, perceptible, participatory, and resonant. From the trend of "extreme Sinicization" and "becoming Chinese" to the increasing number of non Asian faces in Chinese restaurants in Toronto, from Western young people carrying thermos cups soaked in goji berries to people of different skin colors practicing Eight dan Brocade and Tai Chi, this cross Pacific cultural trend reveals a profound truth: in this era full of uncertainty, the gentle, restrained, balanced and moderate lifestyle in Chinese culture is becoming a lighthouse for Western young people to feel certainty. In the past, Chinese people have learned the Western way of life; Nowadays, Westerners are beginning to draw on the wisdom of Chinese life. The website also noted that in the face of this cultural craze, China's attitude is open and confident. The expansion of the "visa free friend circle" has allowed more foreign tourists to set foot on Chinese soil. They came, saw, experienced, and finally marveled. A British blogger exclaimed, 'Witnessing a sci-fi like city in China... breathtaking!' The report said that what impressed foreign tourists more were the Chinese people. The elderly who take the initiative to guide the way on the streets, the restaurant owners who enthusiastically recommend dishes... they inadvertently become "cultural ambassadors", showcasing China's friendliness and enthusiasm. The New York Times also pointed out that thanks to China's measures to simplify visa procedures for foreign tourists, more and more tourists from different countries are able to communicate with ordinary Chinese people of all kinds, and thus get to know a more authentic China. From a broader perspective, this change in perception of China has practical implications for the interactions between other countries and China. (New Society)