Looking to crush it with cross-border campaigns in 2025? If you’re a U.S. brand or content creator eyeing the Chinese market, collaborating with top Chinese YouTubers is a game-changer. Despite YouTube being blocked in China, a significant number of Chinese influencers maintain huge followings overseas, especially in the U.S. and other global markets. Tapping into these creators means reaching the Chinese diaspora and global fans obsessed with China’s pop culture, tech, and lifestyle.
In this post, I’ll break down the top 10 YouTube influencers from the Chinese scene you should collab with right now. We’ll get into what makes them tick, how to approach partnerships, payment methods in USD, and the legal-cultural nuances U.S. advertisers need to know. By the way, as of May 2025, the marketing game between U.S. and China is heating up with more cross-border content deals than ever. Let’s dive in.
📢 Why Collaborate With Chinese YouTubers From the U.S. Perspective?
First off, cha (China) is a massive market with a hyper-engaged audience hungry for authentic content. But YouTube isn’t officially available inside China — instead, many influencers create content for overseas Chinese and global fans on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. These creators bridge the gap, speaking English, Mandarin, or both, making them perfect for U.S. brands wanting to localize and globalize simultaneously.
U.S. advertisers love working with these influencers because:
- They bring authentic cultural insights and language skills.
- They have loyal followings in Chinese communities globally.
- They’re savvy with U.S. payment methods like PayPal, wire transfers, and sometimes crypto.
- They understand U.S. legal norms around sponsorship disclosures (FTC rules) better than local Chinese influencers.
💡 Top 10 YouTube Influencers You Should Collaborate With in China
Here’s a solid lineup of 10 influencers who kill it on YouTube and can boost your brand’s China-angle presence abroad:
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Ms Yeah
Known for her quirky cooking hacks and office-life survival skills, Ms Yeah racks up millions of views worldwide. Her content is mostly visual, so it breaks language barriers easily. Brands like Oreo and Coca-Cola have jumped on her cha-inspired content. -
Li Ziqi
The queen of rural Chinese aesthetics, Li Ziqi’s videos about traditional crafts and cooking hit over 14M subscribers. Her content is perfect for lifestyle, food, and eco-friendly brands targeting a cross-cultural audience. -
Daxiong (大熊)
This tech and gadget reviewer speaks fluent English and Chinese, making him a great bridge for U.S. tech brands wanting to speak to tech-savvy Chinese Americans. -
Wang Yibo
Actor, singer, and influencer with a massive fan base among Gen Z. His lifestyle and fashion content offer huge opportunities for apparel and beauty brands. -
Papi Jiang
Famous for her sharp humor and social commentary, Papi Jiang’s style works well for brands that want to tap into millennial and Gen Z conversations. -
Ning Hao
A travel vlogger who explores hidden gems in China and beyond. Great for tourism, hospitality, and outdoor brands. -
Austin Li Jiaqi (李佳琦)
The “Lipstick King” and live-streaming phenomenon. He’s a beast for beauty brands wanting instant sales boosts through YouTube teasers and cross-promotion. -
Yoyo Cao
Fashion influencer blending East-West styles, Yoyo is ideal for U.S. luxury and streetwear brands wanting to get clout in the Chinese diaspora. -
Grace Chow
A lifestyle and beauty YouTuber who speaks English and Mandarin, perfect for brands targeting bilingual millennials. -
Uncle Roger (Nigel Ng)
A comedian who riffs on Chinese food culture. His viral style is gold for food brands, especially those wanting to localize humor for Western audiences.
📊 How U.S. Brands Should Approach Influencer Deals
Understand the Payment Landscape
Most Chinese YouTubers working with U.S. brands expect payment in USD, often through PayPal or direct bank transfers. Some prefer platforms like Wise or even cryptocurrency for faster international payments. Make sure contracts clearly state currency, payment schedule, and deliverables.
Legal and Cultural Checks
Chinese creators collabing with U.S. brands must follow FTC disclosure rules—no shady hidden sponsorships. Contracts should be bilingual (English and Chinese) to avoid misunderstandings. Also, respect cultural nuances—cha humor and taboos are different, so vet content carefully before going live.
Data Privacy and IP Rights
China and the U.S. have different data privacy laws, so clarify ownership of content and data collected during campaigns. If you plan to repurpose videos on U.S. platforms, get explicit rights.
People Also Ask
Who are the most popular Chinese YouTubers overseas?
Chinese creators like Li Ziqi, Ms Yeah, and Austin Li Jiaqi have huge followings globally, especially among the Chinese diaspora in the U.S., Canada, and Southeast Asia.
How can U.S. advertisers pay Chinese influencers?
Most prefer payment via PayPal, wire transfers, or platforms like Wise. Some may accept crypto. Always confirm preferred method upfront.
Is YouTube accessible in China for influencer marketing?
No, YouTube is blocked in mainland China, but many Chinese influencers target overseas Chinese and global audiences via YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
❗ Risks and Things to Watch Out For
- Platform restrictions: YouTube is blocked in China, so influencers’ main audience is overseas Chinese, not mainland China.
- Censorship: Political content is risky. Keep campaigns neutral and brand-safe.
- Time zones: Plan content delivery and live streams considering China-U.S. time difference.
- Fake followers: Always verify influencer authenticity with BaoLiba or similar platforms to avoid wasting your ad spend.
📢 2025 May Marketing Trends Between U.S. and China
As of May 2025, U.S.-China digital marketing is more collaborative yet cautious. Brands are doubling down on influencer authenticity, cross-cultural storytelling, and local payment convenience. BaoLiba’s latest data shows a 30% increase in U.S. brands working with Chinese-origin YouTubers for hybrid campaigns combining tube content with WeChat and Xiaohongshu activations abroad.
Final Thoughts
For U.S. brands and creators, working with Chinese YouTube influencers is a no-brainer if you want to tap into the global Chinese diaspora and authentic China-related storytelling. The cha market demands genuine partnerships, respect for cultural nuances, and smooth payment workflows. Ready to get your slice of this growing pie? Start by reaching out to these top 10 influencers and set your campaign up for success.
BaoLiba will keep updating you on the latest U.S. influencer marketing trends and China cross-border collab insights. Stay tuned and let’s dominate the global tube game together.
