The Brief: TikTokers are using the hashtag #ILoveChina to sarcastically suggest that by showing support for the country where TikTok's parent company is based, their videos will get more attention.

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Some TikTokers are using the hashtag #ILoveChina in reference to how TikTok’s controversial parent company, ByteDance, is based in China. The hashtag is typically used as tongue-in-cheek, to imply that because they’re showing support for the Chinese Government, ByteDance will promote their videos.

TikTok and ByteDance have been criticized by creators and proponents of free speech for censoring content including political videos and ones by TikTokers from marginalized communities. The app has also come under fire from the U.S. government and was recently banned in India.

At the time of writing, videos associated with the hashtag #ILoveChina have been viewed over 100 million times on TikTok. Other similar hashtags have been used including #ChinaIsTheBest and #ChineseGovernmentIsAmazing. TikTokers have also been using the Chinese National Anthem, sharing images of the Chinese flag, and pledging their support to President Xi Jinping to jokingly suggest that the app will un-shadowban them or otherwise favor their content if they share propaganda.

https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinkevinkevin9/video/6821346019666562309

@obamaqueef

if you see this send help #fyp #alttiktok #WinterVibes

♬ Chinese Anthem – March of the Volunteers, Hymne National Chinois, Himno Nacional, Chinesische Nationalhymne, 义勇军进行曲 – National Anthem China

@kytrashpile

i love China! 🇨🇳 #ilovechina #ilovechinasomuch #chinaisthebest #tiktokchina #china #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #greenscreen

♬ Chinese Anthem – March of the Volunteers, Hymne National Chinois, Himno Nacional, Chinesische Nationalhymne, 义勇军进行曲 – National Anthem China

@spencewuah

please unshadowban me #fyp

♬ Chinese Anthem – March of the Volunteers, Hymne National Chinois, Himno Nacional, Chinesische Nationalhymne, 义勇军进行曲 – National Anthem China

@chaotic.onion

let’s see how it goes #fyp #foryoupage #ilovechina #xijinpingisahottie

♬ Chinese Anthem – March of the Volunteers, Hymne National Chinois, Himno Nacional, Chinesische Nationalhymne, 义勇军进行曲 – National Anthem China