Gallup and the Pew Research Center released polls signalling a historic shift: global approval and recognition of China's leadership have surpassed the United States in the two benchmark reports for the first time.

Concurrently, the Reuters Institute's Digital News Report revealed a different watershed moment: social media and video networks have officially overtaken traditional broadcast television as the world's primary news source.

Are these phenomena connected? For a media observer who has closely tracked these rigorous, highly credible reports for decades, the correlation is sure. The evolution of global media provides not only the backdrop but the lever for this geopolitical polling upset.

The "Platformisation" of News

The shift in the international images of the US and China is not a minor fluctuation, but a structural displacement spanning the globe.

The Polling Upset: Gallup notes that in 2025, China's global median approval rating rose to 36% , while the US plummeted to 31% . US approval dropped by double digits among its closest Western allies, with Germany falling by a staggering 39 points. Meanwhile, Pew data shows China overtaking the US even in neighbouring countries like Canada and Mexico. In the Global South , 75% of respondents now view the US as overly interfering, while majorities see China as a reliable partner.

The Media Evolution: The Reuters report explains how this image shift is being delivered. For the first time, 54% of global audiences use social media and video networks as their primary news sources, beating traditional TV. Over a quarter of people now get their news from independent content creators rather than legacy newsrooms.

Platformisation has defeated traditional television. The centralised power of Western legacy media to set the agenda and apply "filters" to China's image is rapidly dissolving.

Why is China "Cool"?

The Economist recently highlighted how China's soft power is rising among younger generations. This "Cool China" phenomenon is driven by a mix of tangible development and algorithm-driven visibility:

1. The US Double-Standard Fatigue

The US is bogged down in its own unilateralism. On issues like the Gaza conflict and international law, obvious American double standards have made its "rules-based order" look hypocritical, costing the US its moral high ground.

2. High-Quality Tech and Culture Exports

China is transitioning from the "World's Factory" to a "Global Creative Hub." Products like the AAA game Black Myth: Wukong , viral designer toys like LABUBU, and leading AI models and EVs (like BYD) are serving as powerful new engines for cultural soft power.

3. The 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy Meets the Algorithm

This is the ultimate catalyst. China's expanding visa-free policies have allowed massive numbers of foreign vloggers to visit on a whim. In 2025, 30.08 million foreign nationals entered China visa-free, accounting for 73.1% of all inbound foreign visitors, representing a 49.5% year-on-year increase.

They point their smartphones at real Chinese streets, capturing late-night BBQs, seamless cashless payments, and futuristic high-speed trains. Because these unfiltered realities contrast so sharply with the "poor and oppressive" narratives of legacy Western media, algorithms reward the content with massive reach.

This creates a viral, highly credible loop of positive exposure. The influence of content creators on public discourse now rivals, or even exceeds, that of traditional TV networks.

For example, American streamer iShowSpeed—whose 2025 vlog series in China averaged over 5 million views per episode—these figures are triggering massive waves of engagement and shifting perceptions on global social media.

4. Human Empathy Shatters Stereotypes

These vlogs capture the warmth of ordinary Chinese people—friendly shopkeepers, elders exercising, and approachable, helpful police officers (a stark contrast to the heavily militarized policing often seen in the US). This shared humanity resonates globally, shattering old stereotypes.

In today’s digital era, being "cool" means having high-definition visibility on social media.China has always possessed a profound cultural heritage, immense modernising energy, and a safe society. It was always "cool," but that reality was often obscured by the ideological filters of Western traditional media. Today, decentralised social media algorithms and open visa policies have allowed a vibrant, authentic, and futuristic China to reach the screens and hearts of the global public directly. This historic polling reversal is not an accidental diplomatic victory; it is the inevitable result of China's tangible, pragmatic development colliding with a global media revolution.

Yubin Du is a journalist, executive producer, and chief editor at CGTN. He was stationed in Washington, D.C., and London for six years respectively, focusing on US-China and EU-China relations. He has worked in international communications and digital media in China for over 16 years. This article represents the author's personal views.

Africa’s exposure to global disruptions is closely tied to its reliance on imports and limited intra-continental trade, Kuagbedzi said, arguing that recent crises have underscored the urgency of reducing that dependence.

“Well, I think that we have to deepen African trade,” he said, referencing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which was created to boost trade among African countries but has yet to reach its full potential.

He warned that continued reliance on external suppliers for essential goods leaves African economies vulnerable when global supply chains are disrupted.

“We cannot continue as a continent to depend on, you know, others for our, you know, supplies in terms of crude oil, in terms of our cereals, in terms of sugar, in terms of everything that we actually import into this country.”

Economists have long argued that such dependence amplifies the impact of global shocks. Analysts, including Dani Rodrik, have pointed to the need for diversification and stronger domestic industries.

"Economic growth and development are possible only through the accumulation of capabilities over time, in areas ranging from skills and technologies to public institutions," wrote in his book, " The Globalisation Paradox ".

Nelson, during the discussion with Abigail Johnson Boakye, intimated that Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead invest in value addition. “I think that we need to diversify our economic basis by adding more value to the raw materials,” he said, pointing to Ghana’s plan to stop exporting raw gold by 2030 as an example of policy direction.

He added that heavy reliance on imports has implications for employment and economic growth. “Once you continue to import, you are creating unemployment in your country, and you are creating a corresponding employment in that country.”

For Nelson, strengthening intra-African trade is central to reducing vulnerability.

“We should try as much as possible to trade within ourselves. We should try as much as possible to deepen our economic and financial relations. And we should also try as much as possible to build our economies based on African solutions that can solve African problems.”

Watch the full interview attached above.

India has formally assumed the BRICS presidency for 2026, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiling the official website, theme and logo in New Delhi on Tuesday, January 13. Jaishankar said India’s chairship “will adopt a ‘humanity-first’ and ‘people-centric’ approach,” aimed at resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. “Launched preparations for BRICS India 2026 with the unveiling of website, theme and logo,” he wrote on X, adding that the presidency would “seek to bring together the potential of the member countries of the grouping to promote greater global welfare.” Noting that BRICS will mark 20 years since its inception in 2026, Jaishankar said the bloc has evolved into a key platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing economies. India took over the presidency from Brazil on January 1, marking its fourth turn at the helm, having last chaired the grouping in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Labour reforms

Major delivery platforms Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy have begun moving away from their 10-minute delivery model following an intervention by Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The decision comes after gig workers staged a one-day strike on December 31, citing safety risks and health concerns linked to ultra-fast delivery timelines. Ministry sources said Blinkit has already removed the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding, with others expected to follow. A senior official said Mandaviya raised concerns with aggregators, urging them to stop the practice “considering the health and welfare of delivery workers,” a request the companies agreed to. Blinkit has since revised its tagline to “30,000+ products delivered at your doorstep.”

Army chief issues blunt warning to Pakistan

India’s Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday warned Pakistan that any future provocation would be met with a firm response, describing the counterterror Operation Sindoor as “ongoing.” Speaking at the Army Day press conference, he said , “At least 6 terror camps still active across the LoC & 2 across the International Border after Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Will act, if any (nefarious) attempts are carried out.” Dwivedi said the operation was executed with precision, dismantling terror infrastructure and “resetting strategic assumptions.” He added that around 100 Pakistani personnel were killed during heightened tensions along the Line of Control and International Border, and acknowledged the coordinated role of intelligence agencies, civil authorities and multiple ministries in the operation.

India slips to third place in Russian fossil fuel imports

India fell to third place among importers of Russian fossil fuels in December 2025 after private and state-owned refiners sharply reduced crude purchases, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). India’s imports dropped to €2.3 billion in December from €3.3 billion in November, with Türkiye overtaking India as the second-largest buyer. China remained the top importer. CREA said crude oil made up 78 percent of India’s purchases, with coal and refined products accounting for the rest. The think tank noted that Reliance Industries halved its Russian imports in December, while state refiners cut purchases by 15 percent, amid tighter sanctions on major Russian producers Rosneft and Lukoil.

Trump’s Iran tariffs add to India’s trade worries

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from countries “doing business” with Iran, a move that could further strain India’s trade outlook. “Any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump said , adding that the order was “final and conclusive.” India’s bilateral trade with Iran stood at $1.34 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, with exports including rice, tea, sugar and pharmaceuticals. The new tariffs come as India is already grappling with 50 percent U.S. levies linked to Russian oil purchases, with exporters warning that sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, leather and marine products could be hit hardest if the Iran tariffs are applied on top of existing duties.

“ America will just use these Christians as a scapegoat to attack Nigeria — not necessarily to salvage Christians but rather an attempt to harness the resources in Nigeria,” said Idris Salisu Rogo, a public affairs analyst and lecturer at Bayero University Kano.

Civil society voices also questioned Washington’s approach, insisting support should come through partnership, not force. “If they want to support Nigeria, it is not necessary to come through an invasion or through the American military,” argued activist Salisu Yusuf. “They could provide training to Nigerian security forces.”

Trump made the remarks at a rally in Florida , citing attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s northern and central regions.

His comments have drawn swift pushback from Nigerian officials and added fresh strain to already sensitive geopolitical relations, with many Nigerians insisting that internal challenges require domestic solutions — not foreign troops.