White monkeys to make Chinese business look more global
Foreigners in China are sometimes hired as 'white monkeys' to lend prestige and a global image to businesses, a practice rooted in the cultural concept of 'mianzi' or 'face'. These individuals are paid to perform roles such as fake scientists, CEOs, or customers to enhance a company's credibility. The unregulated industry operates in a legal grey area and often targets non-Chinese individuals regardless of specific ethnicity.
- ▪The term 'white monkey' refers to foreigners hired to make Chinese businesses appear more prestigious and internationally credible.
- ▪These roles include acting as fake scientists, CEOs, English teachers, or customers, and are often advertised informally on platforms like WeChat.
- ▪The practice is tied to the Chinese cultural concept of 'mianzi,' where appearance and social perception influence reputation and respect.
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Illustration: Michelle Thompson/The GuardianView image in fullscreen Illustration: Michelle Thompson/The GuardianLife and styleFake lawyers, scientists, chefs and punters: meet the ‘white monkeys’ paid to make Chinese businesses look globalA foreign face is often thought to add prestige to a product or business – what’s behind this unregulated economy?Elaine ChongSat 16 May 2026 07.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GooglePiers had been in China for all of two days in 2009 when he was used as a “white monkey” for the first time. He had travelled to a village in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, to attend a friend’s wedding and had stopped in the village to try a special crab dish at a small restaurant.
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