Barbarians at the Gate
Curating Chinese Internet Culture for Global Audiences with What's on Weibo founder Manya Koetse
Apr 1, 2025
Manya Koetse, founder of What's on Weibo, offers a deep dive into the fascinating world of Chinese social media. She explores Weibo's role as a crucial platform reflecting China’s shifting nationalism and social dynamics. Manya discusses the nuances between Weibo and WeChat, highlighting how their user demographics and functionalities cater to different audiences. She reveals the challenges of curating content that resonates globally while navigating the complexities of online sentiment and cultural trends, providing listeners with valuable insights into an often-misunderstood digital landscape.
27:39
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Quick takeaways
- Manya Koetse emphasizes the transformative role of Weibo in reflecting and shaping the nuanced dynamics of Chinese nationalism and societal sentiment.
- The evolution of 'What's on Weibo' illustrates a crucial bridge for global audiences to engage with the complexities of Chinese digital culture.
Deep dives
Manja Kutse's Journey to Understanding China
Manja Kutse's interest in Asia began in her teenage years when she participated in a program that sent her to Japan for a year. This experience became transformative as she immersed herself in a culture where she initially struggled with the language and social norms, making her feel like an outsider. Her fascination deepened as she recognized Japan's historical and cultural ties to China, eventually leading her to study Japanology and later Sinology at Leiden University. This academic path paved the way for her eventual move to Beijing, coinciding with the 2008 Olympics, marking the start of her deep engagement with Chinese culture and politics.
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