Chinamaxxing has become an increasingly visible trend among some young people in Western countries. What often begins as an ironic fascination with Chinese food, culture, cities and everyday life has grown into a broader online phenomenon, with some creators even travelling to China to experience the country firsthand.
But beneath the social-media trend is a more complicated conversation about politics, identity and authoritarianism. That is where Chinese Australian artist Badiucao and Chinese American journalist Melissa Chan enter the discussion with their new graphic novel, You Must Take Part in Revolution.
What Is Chinamaxxing?
Chinamaxxing generally describes the online fascination with China among young Western audiences. Videos can feature everything from Chinese food and drinks to city life, travel and popular culture.
For many participants, the trend is deliberately humorous or ironic. However, Badiucao believes it can also reflect something deeper: frustration with the political systems and social problems young people see around them.
Rather than simply criticizing those who participate in Chinamaxxing, the creators of You Must Take Part in Revolution want readers to think more carefully about what they are romanticizing.
A Dystopian Vision of the Future
You Must Take Part in Revolution imagines a world in 2035 where China and the United States are at war. The story follows characters from different parts of the Chinese-speaking diaspora, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and other communities, as they confront political oppression and difficult choices.
The story begins with the real-world Hong Kong protests of 2019 before moving into a fictional future shaped by increasingly authoritarian governments.
Importantly, the graphic novel does not simply present China as the only threat. The United States is also portrayed as moving toward authoritarianism, creating a world where neither major power represents an uncomplicated answer to the characters’ problems.
Why the Creators Wanted to Tell This Story
Both Chan and Badiucao have personal experience with political censorship and the consequences of criticizing China’s government.
Chan, a journalist who previously reported from China, was expelled from the country in 2012 after her press credentials were not renewed. Badiucao, who became known for his political artwork, was forced to publicly reveal his identity after Chinese authorities discovered it and threatened his family.
Their experiences give the graphic novel a personal foundation. Instead of presenting political ideas through a conventional essay, they use fictional characters and visual storytelling to encourage readers to consider what resistance might look like.
From Hong Kong Protests to a Global Warning
One of the book’s central ideas is that authoritarianism should not be judged differently depending on which country practices it.
The creators deliberately portray political repression in multiple settings. Their message is broader than criticism of China: systems that restrict freedom and suppress dissent can emerge anywhere.
That approach also gives You Must Take Part in Revolution relevance beyond the Chinamaxxing debate. The story asks readers to think about how quickly political freedoms can become vulnerable when societies become comfortable with surveillance, censorship and concentrated power.
Why the Graphic Novel Matters
Badiucao draws inspiration from Japanese manga, including works that use fictional worlds to explore serious themes such as war, inequality and racism.
