What’s Up with Chinese Live Streamers Taking Over Parking Lots?

① Chinese Blocking Parking Spaces and Broadcasting Live

Videos depicting Chinese individuals live-streaming on the streets have ignited discussions across social media platforms. These individuals were observed occupying parking spaces and maintaining approximately 3 feet of distance from one another as they conducted their live streams. Holding multiple sets of clothing, they were deeply immersed in promoting and selling their products.

The footage captured the Chinese streamers trying on clothes on the spot while energetically elaborating on their features. As the video gained traction on social media, it sparked a flurry of reactions from international users.

Online was flooded with comments like, “Why don’t they livestream from the comfort of their homes instead of outdoors?” and “Are they currently in a parking lot? What’s the context here?” Others marveled at the ingenuity of China’s live-streaming sales techniques, with remarks like, “China’s live-streaming sales are truly remarkable” and “Why are they broadcasting side by side on the same street?”

One commenter speculated, “I believe they choose to livestream on the street to catch the eye of pedestrians. It’s actually quite common for people to make spontaneous clothing purchases on the spot.”

Most foreign viewers expressed curiosity regarding the decision to broadcast near one another on the street. Many pondered whether the streamers were utilizing free Wi-Fi for their broadcasts. Furthermore, some voiced discontent over the disruption caused by blocking parking spaces and congregating in groups on the street.

The location where the video was shot is believed to be Hangzhou’s Xuzi Market. Renowned as one of the “Top 3 Fashion Wholesale Markets in China,” it spans approximately 160,000 square feet, dwarfing popular destinations like Dongdaemun Market, frequented by numerous clothing wholesalers, and covers only a fraction of its size.

Live-stream shopping is a thriving phenomenon in China, with a burgeoning number of individuals employed in the industry surpassing 10 million. The previous year witnessed staggering sales figures, with the transaction value of China’s live broadcasts reaching around $528 billion, highlighting the immense scale of this market segment.

② Chinese’s Reaction Isn’t Good Either

The disruptive behavior exhibited by some Chinese individuals has stirred global controversy on multiple occasions. Instances of disruptive conduct by Chinese tourists have been documented in various countries, with one particularly notorious incident occurring at a hotel in Thailand.

During a visit to a hotel buffet in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Chinese tourists engaged in aggressive behavior over shrimp. They formed groups, clamoring to seize the shrimp and escalating to physical altercations. Brandishing plates in both hands, they fervently scooped up shrimp with their bare hands, jostling each other and shouting in their pursuit of the coveted seafood. Despite accumulating piles of shrimp on their plates, many departed without consuming all they had taken.

Following the dissemination of video footage depicting the incident, a Chinese media outlet quoted local guides and travelers attributing the behavior to insufficient mealtime provided by the guides. However, criticism from the locals was swift, with many expressing bewilderment and disapproval of the actions of the Chinese tourists.

③ The Nuisance Behavior Continues at Overseas Tourist Sites

In 2018, Chinese tourists sparked outrage after defacing a tourist attraction in Japan. Graffiti, written in Chinese and English, was discovered on a snow carving at Mt. Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture. The phrase ‘Happy Birthday’ in Chinese was sprawled across an area measuring approximately 1,076 square feet, done so with pink spray paint.

The vandalism was stumbled upon by a concerned citizen visiting the ski resort. According to the witness, a Chinese couple was observed committing vandalism. Recounting the incident, the witness stated, “I witnessed them defacing the property and attempted to intervene, but they showed no regard. They conversed in both English and Chinese.”

More recently, news emerged of a Chinese student assaulting a Japanese police officer. The altercation occurred in Shinjuku, where a group of Chinese students surrounded the officer, hurling verbal abuse and physically attacking him. The situation escalated as they proceeded to kick and punch the officer.

In another incident, Chinese tourists faced expulsion from a hotel in Sweden due to disruptive behavior. Arriving at the hotel after midnight, they requested to stay in the lobby due to the cold weather outside.

However, their request was denied by the hotel, citing insufficient space. This refusal led to the Chinese tourists causing a disturbance in the lobby, prompting the hotel to contact the authorities. Subsequently, Swedish police intervened, forcibly removing the tourists and transporting them to a nearby 24-hour open church, as per protocol.

However, the tourists took to social media to claim they were taken to a public cemetery by the police, where no public transportation was available. While it’s true that a public cemetery was adjacent to the church, contrary to their assertion, transportation options such as subways and buses were accessible from the area. Upon learning this, the Chinese, who had initially criticized the Swedish police, redirected their criticism towards their compatriots.