Creator of buzzword 'city or not city' shares story behind the trend

When we talk about China's travel scene in 2024, one phrase comes to mind: city不city, which is loosely translated as "city or not city." Selected as one of the top 10 Chinese buzzwords of the year, this catchy phrase captures the essence of China's unique blend of modernity and tradition. From social media to tourism campaigns, the phrase has sparked conversations around the markings of a city in the context of travel. CGTN spoke with the creator of this phrase, Paul Mike Ashton, who is widely known by his online persona, Baobaoxiong. He explained how this phrase evolved into a cultural phenomenon and shared his thoughts on China's increasing openness to international visitors.