Australian Internet personality Andre Longginou, who has lived in China for years, has been showing the "real China" to the world through his videos, offering genuine and on-the-ground perspectives on everything from public services to vibrant cities.
Longginou once had misconceptions about China, but after coming to the country, he gradually learned what it is really like. His journey in China has been one of discovery, connection, and breaking stereotypes.
Since posting his first video two years ago, he has been documenting his life in China with the aim of showing the world what is really happening in the country, and he has developed a significant following. Now, he believes social media has a key advantage over traditional forms of media in reaching a global audience.
"I've started doing social media about two years ago. Now I've seen the actual power of getting into the home of people all over the world as opposed to for example, if it's a big television network, it might be blocked in the Western world. So, it's hard to get access to the consumer to actually show them the real China. And that's why I started vlogging in the first place to actually reveal the real China. Because I had a lot of misconceptions about China too. My dad did business here even in the 1980s, and even his perception of China was old as well and needed updating," he said.
Longginou said that his best approach to helping people better understand China is to introduce them to the country's rapidly advancing innovations and allow is followers to get an up-close look.
"Social media is a really good way to very quickly get in front of someone and show them something that's so impressive. It'll blow their mind. I'll give you an example like Huawei, the phones, and then you've got the cars. Other examples are like the other EVs that I've shown my dad and my uncles when they come, ZEEKR and Geely, and when they see it, it immediately blows their minds. If I can show them an image inside the vehicle, me driving the car, it definitely shapes the opinion and the feelings inside the Western heart and mind in regards to Chinese brands," he said.
Australian vlogger introduces "real China" to global audience
China's outdoor gear industry is experiencing a sustained export boom, with many manufacturers reporting full order books extending into 2027 as overseas demand for camping and leisure gear continue to rise.
In recent years, the sector has developed rapidly, with faster product iteration and growing overseas market share. Many companies have already received orders scheduled through well into 2027, signaling strong industry momentum.
Unlike previous years when the peak season began in late September or early October, Letu leisure Products Company in Wuyi County, Jinhua City, east China's Zhejiang Province entered its busy period much earlier this year, with folding outdoor awnings rolling off production lines one after another and packed for storage.
"Our company currently has an order volume of 500,000 sets, and production has been scheduled through January 2027. Our daily output has risen form 3,000 sets to about 4,000 sets," said Gao Hongfang, deputy manager of production of the company.
Over the past two years, Letu has continued investing in research and development in the outdoor awning segment, adding practical features such as solar lighting and wind-resistant reinforcement. Its export value grew from over five million yuan (about 750,000 U.S. dollars) in 2015 to 160 million yuan in the first half of this year.
Zhejiang Youyi Feinuo Umbrella Industry Co., Ltd in Shaoxing City is targeting the growing trend of glamping and expanding its product matrix. Its orders have already been booked through June next year.
"We offer products like mattresses, beach mats and carpets, and we provide customers with one-stop or packaged combination sets," said Xu Jianshu, executive general manager of the company.
At another manufacturer in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Hengyang Umbrella Co., Ltd, production boards display real-time scheduling data, with daily output of more than 2,000 outdoor products. Batches of finished goods are inspected, packed and prepared for shipment worldwide.
"At present, our main business is still export-oriented. Our main markets are Europe, North America, South America and the Middle East. Now we also have markets in Africa and Southeast Asia," said Han Haojie, general manager of the company.
Many domestic outdoor gear manufacturers are undergoing transformation. In the past, most of them focused on contract manufacturing, but now they are placing greater emphasis on independent research and development. Adapting actively to consumer habits in different overseas markets, the manufacturers have increased investment in innovation to build their own brands and lead market demand with their original designs.
Chinese outdoor gears ride export boom as orders stretch into 2027
