This undated video screenshot shows Li Ziqi receiving an interview with Xinhua. Photo: Xinhua

Western media often distort the beauty of China through prejudiced reporting. The biased coverage of Chinese video blogger Li Ziqi's return once again highlights the BBC's role as a machine for manufacturing prejudice against China.

After a three-year hiatus, Li, one of the most influential Chinese video bloggers known for her poetic portrayal of rural life, is back in the public spotlight with new videos released on November 12. However, in a report titled "'I missed you very much': China's social media darling returns," the BBC couldn't resist inserting political bias, portraying Li, a grassroots Chinese influencer, as being connected to the Chinese government. The report accused her of being part of China's "soft propaganda" abroad.

Moreover, regarding Li and other pastoral-style influencers who have emerged on Chinese social media in recent years to present the new image of rural China, the BBC argued that Li's videos "offer a distraction from the realities of rural China, which is poorer and older than the country's bustling cities."

By groundlessly linking cultural creators' personal achievements to the government, the BBC dismisses the genuine support and heartfelt resonance that Li's work has garnered from audiences. The reason her videos captivate a global audience lies in her dedication to cultural authenticity. Li's works focus on traditional rural life and Chinese cultural heritage, vividly showcasing core values such as diligence, wisdom and harmony through refined cinematography. 

BBC accused Li of idealizing or overly glorifying rural life in her videos. While foreign media continue to cling to outdated stereotypes of China's countryside as "poor and old," rural China has undergone a profound transformation. Promoting intangible cultural heritage to drive rural revitalization is one of the key strategies in modern rural development. Currently, more than 6,700 intangible cultural heritage workshops operate nationwide, including 2,100 in once poverty-stricken areas, injecting fresh vitality into rural economies alongside the burgeoning rural tourism sector. The new socialist countryside in China is far from primitive or backward. As showcased in Li's videos, traditional culture and rural scenery complement each other, reflecting a simple yet vibrant rural China in every frame.

"When the world needed her most, she returned." This YouTube comment on Li's return, which has garnered over 43,000 likes, encapsulates the sentiment of many. "No drama, no conflict, pure culture and a tranquil lifestyle," another netizen wrote. In contrast, the BBC's biased and distorted reporting on China epitomizes the narrative audiences despise most: fabricating "drama" and "conflict," replacing empathy with speculation, and interpreting Eastern culture through a patronizing lens.

Under the guise of "critical thinking" and "independent thought," the BBC has portrayed Li, an influencer passionate about life and promoting Chinese traditional culture, as a so-called political tool, distorting the success of Li and other Chinese cultural influencers. The BBC deliberately distorts facts to cater to its inherent biases and positions, aiming to shape negative perceptions of China through misinformation. This is not an isolated incident. Under the banner of so-called "freedom of the press" and without investigation and verification, the BBC frequently quoted the so-called Xinjiang-related "research report" of pseudo-scholar Adrian Zenz, spreading "forced labor" and other rumors related to Xinjiang. In 2021, a number of individuals in Xinjiang even reportedly planned to sue BBC for producing fake news.

The essence of such reporting is to suppress China's rising cultural influence by politicizing and labeling ordinary cultural phenomena. However, international audiences care more about authentic cultural works and values than about political conspiracy theories. 

In recent years, an increasing number of Chinese creators have showcased the unique charm of Chinese culture through short videos, films and music. No amount of biased coverage can obscure the beauty of Chinese culture. Looking ahead, we can expect more cultural creators from China to create exceptional works, adding new brilliance to the global spread of Chinese traditions.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. maruiqian@globaltimes.com.cn