Abstract: Short videos have become an important new media channel for telling Chinese stories. This study takes the most subscribed YouTube accounts owned by foreigners living in China as the research object, analyzes the content characteristics and narrative strategies of their Chinese stories posted on YouTube, with an aim to reflect on the value of the unique narrative paradigm. Through quantitative analysis and qualitative observation, this study finds foreigners take the role of “inter-subjectivity” for their experiences in China and foreign identity. To be more specific, they act as “witness”, “China hand” and “commentator”, employing a different narrative framework of “witnessing China”, “interpreting China” and “debunking stereotypes about China” on the social media platform. They construct an image of China that is politically distinct from the West, with long-term planning and strong execution power, a China that enjoys dynamic economic and technological development and innovation, multi-culture, as well as a peaceful and affluent society. Their storytelling goes beyond the traditional narrative paradigm characterized by dichotomous lens of “self” or “others”. This unique narrative paradigm tells diverse and authentic Chinese stories and promotes cross-cultural communication. For China, this kind of narration based on Chinese facts and aimed at foreign audiences makes up for the limitation of China’s “self-shaping” subject. These foreign friends have helped built a bridge for the exchange and dialogue between China and the West, presenting a true, multi-dimensional and panoramic view of China.

Key words: short videos, foreigners in China, Chinese story, narrative paradigm, national image