[Video] Kanye West in China: What the Chinese think
Kanye West, also known as Ye, one of the most controversial and influential artists of this generation, recently made a surprising return to China. He held not just one but two sold-out listening parties in Haikou, Hainan province — just days after Typhoon Yagi swept through. Given his controversial past and China’s strict censorship rules, it was hard to believe this performance was even happening. So, how did Kanye pull this off? And what does it mean for China’s cultural openness, especially in a place like Hainan? ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming ponders the question.
Fans from across China travelled to Haikou, Hainan, just to see Kanye West, also known as Ye. Their enthusiasm showed just how much impact Kanye’s performance had in bringing people to this tropical island. These concerts weren’t just about entertainment — they were also a huge financial success. The first listening party alone brought in 51 million RMB (US$7.2 million) in ticket sales and 373 million RMB in tourism revenue, giving local businesses a major boost. And socially, Kanye’s presence sparked discussions about how Hainan could expand its role in the global cultural scene.
This ties into Hainan’s broader transformation. By 2025, the province aims to become a free trade port, positioning itself as China’s gateway to international business and tourism. The success of international events like Kanye’s fits perfectly into Hainan’s long-term strategy, but local residents have also expressed concerns about the challenges they might face during Hainan’s transformation.
China has recently introduced new stimulus measures to address the economic challenges, and Hainan is diversifying away from real estate through visa-free travel, duty-free shopping and medical tourism. While the island has struggled with consistent growth since becoming a special economic zone in 1988, could Kanye ’s concerts represent a turning point in its journey towards becoming a global hub?
