Online, there is 'Cool China'—a futuristic, creative nation—and 'Real China,' which includes youth unemployment and economic struggles. Western audiences overwhelmingly consume the former, filtering out the grim realities that circulate within China's own internet.

Despite different political systems, the US and Chinese internets have converged because power is highly centralized. Whether it's a government controlling platforms like Weibo or tech oligarchs like Elon Musk controlling X, the result is a small group dictating the digital public square's rules.

The "Chinamaxxing" cultural trend has two distinct streams: the consumption of authentic short-form videos from China showing daily life, and Western-produced content where creators parody or adopt these Chinese aesthetics, like Tai Chi or drinking Qingdao beer.

Young Westerners, facing narratives of economic decline, are drawn to Chinese content that depicts functionality, stability, and affordable pleasures. This imagery offers a compelling alternative to their perception of the struggling American dream.

A growing meme suggests China is becoming "hot" and "in," capturing the Western imagination with its futuristic cities and unique online culture. This cultural shift, amplified by influencers, positions China as a new center of gravity for trends, potentially supplanting the long-held cultural influence of Japan and Korea.

The online portrayal of China has fundamentally changed. A decade ago, it was dominated by content from Western expatriates. Post-COVID, this has been largely replaced by content from Chinese nationals, shifting the perspective and control of the narrative to local creators.

The primary cleavage in both Chinese and US online society is not political but based on wealth and agency. A deep pessimism exists among everyday users, who feel like "non-player characters" (NPCs) used by technology, contrasting sharply with the optimism of the tech elites building these systems.

China's inner circle, led by Xi Jinping, believes the U.S. is in terminal decline. They view American social and political paradoxes—like New York, the center of capitalism, electing a socialist—not as features of a complex democracy, but as evidence of a fracturing and decaying society.

A viral social media trend of Western youth adopting Chinese lifestyle habits reflects a growing disillusionment with American culture and a nuanced view of China. This 'China maxing' phenomenon shows an ability to appreciate Chinese culture (food, fashion, wellness) as distinct from the country's political system, representing a significant evolution in soft power dynamics.