Better Offline How A Chinese Glycine Manufacturer Went Viral ft. Louise Matsakis and Tianyu Fang
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Apr 17, 2024 Louise Matsakis and Tianyu Fang discuss the viral trend of a Chinese glycine manufacturer on TikTok, exploring cultural nuances, marketing strategies, labor rights violations, and the quirky side of Chinese social media. They debunk misconceptions, celebrate diverse perspectives, and address concerns about xenophobia.
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Chinese Factories on TikTok
- Louise Matsakis noticed Chinese factories, including Donghua Jinlong, creating TikTok accounts around 2020.
- They posted mesmerizing manufacturing videos, like gardening gloves being dipped in rubber, reminiscent of "How It's Made."
Donghua Jilong's Glycine Production
- Donghua Jilong produces a substantial amount of industrial-grade glycine, used in products like herbicides.
- China now produces roughly half of the global glycine supply, a shift from primarily American/European production in the 90s.
Organic Reach, Not Propaganda
- Donghua Jilong's videos likely originated on Chinese platforms like WeChat for business-to-business advertising.
- The videos' appearance on TikTok is likely due to algorithmic promotion rather than a deliberate Chinese government campaign.