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Magazine article
TikTokers are ‘becoming Chinese’ in a new trend that’s part parody and part politics
The Conversation
26/02/2026
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Abstract
“Drink hot water” has become an unlikely life philosophy on TikTok, as countless users track their journey towards “being” or “becoming Chinese”.
All of this is part of a broader social media trend dubbed “Chinamaxxing”.
Out of context it may seem strange: thousands of Chinamaxxing videos – often with the caption “you’ve met me at a very Chinese time in my life” – show users of various backgrounds partaking in traditional Chinese practices and wellness rituals. This may look like going to bed early, wearing slippers indoors, eating congee, or doing traditional stretches to improve energy flow. The Chinamaxxing trend is a unique example of digitally mediated cross-cultural admiration. It reflects the West’s general growing interest in traditional Chinese medicine and culture – and more broadly shows us how social media can reshape the way we think about and engage with other cultures.
Details
- Title
- TikTokers are ‘becoming Chinese’ in a new trend that’s part parody and part politics
- Creators
- Justine Poplin - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- The Conversation
- Publisher
- The Conversation Media Group Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991013354872402368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Magazine article