Internet Meme Culture and Political Propaganda: The Impact of 2024 US Election Memes on Chinese Online Community

As the influence of memes has grown, their potential as a form of political propaganda has become increasingly apparent. This study investigates the transitional flow and cultural adaptation of political memes surrounding the 2024 US presidential election within the Chinese online community. Through qualitative interviews and visual analysis of meme content on Bilibili, the research investigates how US political memes are circulated, interpreted and remixed within the Chinese online community. Findings indicate three dominant patterns: (a) second-hand creation resonates with Chinese cultural sensibilities, (b) memes form a biased perception and (c) the algorithm works behind the trends. Despite challenges such as language and cultural barriers, government censorship and limited global Internet accessibility, the dynamic landscape of Chinese online culture and political engagement is primarily influenced by US political memes. This research sheds light on meme culture and expands understanding across cultural and national boundaries.