‘Xuexi’ with a Wink: How Political Terms Become Viral Internet Jokes in China

You’ve seen it — that little red app on your Chinese friend’s phone. The one labeled ‘Xuexi,’ short for Xuexi Qiangguo, or ‘Study to Make China Strong.’ Official? Absolutely. Boring? Well… not anymore. Because believe it or not, this government-backed learning platform has somehow become the punchline of China’s internet culture. Yeah, you read that right. Politics? Memes? In the same sentence? Welcome to modern Chinese net slang, where serious slogans get a digital glow-up and state propaganda sneaks into jokes like a ninja in sneakers.

So how did we get here? Let’s rewind. Xuexi Qiangguo was launched in 2019 as a way to keep Party members — and eventually millions of ordinary citizens — engaged with socialist ideology. Daily quizzes, video lectures, articles about Xi Jinping Thought — sounds like bedtime reading for insomniacs, right? But then something unexpected happened. People started *laughing*. Not at the content per se, but *with* it — in a sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek kind of way.

Take the phrase ‘earn Xuexi points’ — originally meant to encourage regular use of the app. Now? It’s become a meme goldmine. Office workers joke they’re ‘clocking in XP for socialism’ like they’re leveling up in an RPG. Students say they ‘grinded all night for Xuexi glory’ after logging 30 minutes of mandatory video watching. Even dating gets in on the action: ‘Is he hot? No. But does he have high Xuexi points? Now that’s attractive.’

The beauty of it? It’s satire wrapped in patriotism. You’re technically praising the system while quietly roasting its quirks. And in China’s tightly regulated online world, that balance is everything. Too blunt? Censored. Too bland? Ignored. But add a wink, a meme format, and suddenly you’ve got viral content flying under the radar.

Terms like ‘positive energy’ and ‘common prosperity’ have also gotten the meme treatment. Need to describe someone who’s annoyingly optimistic? ‘Bro’s leaking positive energy again.’ Struggling to afford rent in Beijing? ‘Let’s talk about common prosperity, huh?’ These phrases still show respect for official language — but with just enough irony to make them relatable.

Of course, there are limits. The Great Firewall doesn’t appreciate actual dissent. But playful mimicry? That often slips through. After all, how do you ban a joke that technically praises the system?

So why does this matter? Because it shows how young Chinese netizens navigate control with creativity. They’re not rebelling with protest signs — they’re fighting monotony with memes. Using humor to reclaim dry political jargon and turn it into shared cultural code.

In a way, ‘Xuexi’ isn’t just an app anymore. It’s a symbol — of how language evolves, how youth culture adapts, and how even the most serious slogans can’t escape the internet’s love for a good roast. So next time you see a meme about ‘daily Xuexi grind,’ remember: it’s not just a joke. It’s survival. With Wi-Fi.