Part 2: New Media Usage Q5. What are the three social media platforms you use most often? (Multiple choices) · A. WeChat (Moments/Public Accounts) · B. Douyin/TikTok · C. Weibo · D. Xiaohongshu (RED) · E. Bilibili · F. Zhihu · G. YouTube · H. X (formerly Twitter)/Facebook/Instagram · I. Other (please specify: )
Q6. How much time do you spend on social media each day? (Single choice) · A. Less than 5 hours · B. 5-10 hours · C. More than 10 hours
Q7. Since coming to China, how often do you come across content about China or China-Africa cooperation (such as news, short videos, comments, documentaries) on social media? (Single choice) · A. Never · B. Occasionally (1-2 times per week) · C. Often (2-4 times per week) · D. Frequently (5-7 times per week)
Q8. What kind of content do you usually see? (Multiple choices) · A. Economic cooperation and infrastructure development · B. Culture, customs, and tourism · C. Political and diplomatic news · D. Social issues and daily life · E. Technology and education development · F. Entertainment and pop culture · G. Negative news or controversial topics · H. Content about daily life in China · I. Other (please specify: )
Part 3: Perception of Stigmatization and Responses Q9. Have you ever seen unfriendly comments or statements about China-Africa cultural cooperation on social media? (Single choice) · A. Often · B. Occasionally · C. Rarely · D. Never
Q10. Which of the following negative statements about China-Africa cultural cooperation have you seen? (Single choice) · A. "China is engaging in cultural infiltration in Africa" (meaning China promotes culture in Africa to control African people's minds) · B. "China is engaging in digital colonization in Africa" (meaning China's cooperation in digital media and film is trying to replace African local culture) · C. "China builds cultural facilities to buy people's loyalty" (meaning China builds schools and cultural centers in exchange for political support) · D. "Africa is just passively accepting Chinese culture" (meaning African countries have no choice in cultural cooperation; China decides everything)
Q11. When you see these negative statements, what is your first reaction? (Multiple choices) · A. I feel angry and want to respond · B. I disagree but don’t want to argue · C. I would check if it’s true · D. I think it might be true · E. I would discuss it with Chinese or African friends · F. Other (please specify: )
Q12. How much impact do you think these statements have on people’s understanding of China-Africa cooperation? (Single choice) · A. A lot – most people might believe them · B. Some – some people might believe them · C. A little – only a few people might believe them · D. No impact at all
Q13. How well do you think social media helps people understand the real China-Africa cooperation? (Single choice) · A. Very well – I see a lot of authentic content · B. So-so – there’s both good and bad content · C. Not very well – too much negative content · D. Not sure
Q14. Are you willing to share authentic content about China-Africa cultural exchange on social media? (Single choice) · A. Very willing · B. Somewhat willing · C. Neutral · D. Not very willing · E. Not willing at all
Q15. If you are willing, what format do you prefer? (Multiple choices) · A. Photo and text posts · B. Short videos · C. Live streaming · D. Topic discussions · E. Other (please specify: )
Part 4: Cultural Co-creation and Narrative Construction Q16. How much did you know about Chinese culture before coming to China? How has your understanding changed since you arrived? (Single choice) · A. I knew almost nothing before, now I know a lot · B. I knew a little before, now I know more · C. I didn’t know much before, and still don’t know much · D. I thought I knew before, but after arriving I found it’s different from what I imagined
Q17. What aspects of China are you most interested in learning about through social media? (Multiple choices) · A. Daily life of Chinese people · B. Chinese food · C. Hobbies of Chinese youth (music, games, celebrities) · D. Chinese history and traditional culture · E. Chinese technology and development · F. Chinese education system · G. Other (please specify: )
Q18. What are your main channels for learning about Chinese culture? (Multiple choices) · A. Short video platforms (Facebook, TikTok, YouTube) · B. Social media platforms (WeChat, Weibo, Xiaohongshu) · C. Classroom/books · D. Chinese friends/classmates · E. Movies/TV shows · F. News reports · G. Other (please specify: )
Q19. Have you participated in any China-Africa cultural exchange activities (online/offline)? (Single choice) · A. Yes, online activities · B. Yes, offline activities · C. Yes, both online and offline · D. No
Q20. What do you think are the main barriers to China-Africa cultural exchange? (Multiple choices) · A. Language barrier (can’t understand written content, translation apps are inaccurate, too little content in my native language) · B. Cultural differences leading to misunderstandings (unfamiliar with each other’s etiquette, different communication styles) · C. Platform recommendation issues (always showing negative content about Africa, not recommending content related to China) · D. Unrealistic statements online (some claims make people misunderstand China-Africa cooperation) · E. Other (please specify: )
Q21. How much potential do you think social media has for promoting China-Africa cultural exchange? (Single choice) · A. A lot of potential · B. Some potential · C. Limited potential · D. Very little potential
Q22. What do you think are the benefits of using social media (such as WeChat, Douyin, TikTok, etc.) to help Chinese and African friends understand each other’s cultures? (Multiple choices) · A. Wide reach – can reach more people · B. Interesting formats (short videos, live streaming are more engaging) · C. Interactive – allows real-time communication, unlike traditional media which is one-way · D. Fast updates – keeps up with the latest topics · E. No time or location limits – can participate anytime, anywhere · F. Other (please specify: )
Q23. What shortcomings do you think social media currently has in promoting China-Africa cultural exchange and cooperation? (Multiple choices) · A. Inaccurate translation, too little content in African local languages (such as Swahili, French) · B. Poor internet connection and slow speeds in some parts of Africa, affecting video and live streaming · C. China-Africa media cooperation mostly ends after a short period; there is a lack of long-term stable platforms · D. Both sides don’t understand how each other communicates online or what topics are appropriate, leading to misunderstandings · E. Currently, it is mostly Chinese people posting content about China-Africa exchange; content posted by Africans is relatively rare
Q24. What kind of China-Africa cultural co-creation content would you like to see more of? (Multiple choices) · A. Chinese and African youth making short videos together (such as challenges, duets) · B. Vlogs of trying each other’s food · C. Musicians from China and Africa collaborating on songs · D. Chinese and African students sharing their daily lives with each other · E. Other (please specify: )
Q25. Do you have any suggestions on how to use social media to promote China-Africa cultural exchange?
Q26. What role do you think African youth should play in China-Africa cultural exchange?
Q27. Are you aware of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges? (Single choice) · A. Yes, I know about it · B. I’ve heard of it but don’t know details · C. Not at all