Influence of American Culture on Chinese Culture

In the past, fast food in China was considered a street vendor serving one of many unusual local specialties or noodles. However, Kentucky Fried Chicken opened its first restaurant in Beijing in 1987. This initial opening has now lead to the introduction of other American corporate fast-food restaurants, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. In addition, local versions of fast food, including noodle shops and hamburger restaurants that cater to more local tastes, have now become popular.

Western clothing began to become popular in China in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Throughout the Republic of China on Taiwan, Western forms of dress have continued to be popular to the present day. However, during certain periods in the People's Republic of China, Western clothing was shunned in favor of traditional Chinese peasant clothing. In recent times, U.S. brands such as Nike and Adiddas have risen in popularity. U.S. fashion trends, like T-shirts and blue jeans, are as popular in China as in the West.

In the late 20th century, the Internet was virtually unknown in China. In the past 10 years, Internet use and the influence of U.S. companies like Google and Yahoo has surged in China, thus bringing searchable information into the Chinese culture. The availability of information has brought foreign concepts and influences, many from the United States, into Chinese culture. In 2010, Google began forwarding all Chinese Internet searches to its Hong Kong servers in retaliation for hacking on Google user accounts. Google claims the hacking was initiated by the Chinese government, which categorically denied any involvement.

U.S. and European-style rock music has heavily influenced Chinese popular music. Musicians like Wu Bai and other popular rock bands borrow from U.S. rock traditions, while adding influences of Chinese music. The resulting popular music is very different from traditional Chinese music, but is still distinctive to the Chinese culture.

Hollywood movies influence tastes and views in Chinese culture. From fashion to beliefs about desirable lifestyles, Hollywood movies mold viewpoints of many Chinese people, especially young people. Hollywood movies sometimes introduce concepts foreign to traditional Chinese culture, such as certain ideas on personal freedom.