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A prominent Chinese influencer with over 18 million followers in China known as Ni Haishan, whose accounts were recently banned in China, has now gone viral on TikTok by handing out free iPhones to people around the world. Once a popular figure with millions of followers in China, Ni has shifted his focus overseas, using TikTok to regain his momentum and connect with a global audience.
In his TikTok videos, Ni adopts a unique approach: he roams shopping centers, offering iPhones to strangers, often speaking in broken English. His interactions have a distinct style, as he repeatedly asks those he meets, “You want iPhone?” This line has quickly become his catchphrase, resonating with viewers and creating a mixture of comedy and curiosity. In one instance, Ni is seen inviting people to gather around him, promising that if his fans vote “smile,” he would give away iPhones to everyone in the crowd. However, when the results were close - with 888 votes for smiles and 999 for cries - he ended the giveaway, dramatically saying, “No iPhone giving. Bye bye.”
Another viral moment captured Ni offering an iPhone to a Bangladeshi man who wanted it for his young daughter. After verifying that the man’s daughter was real by asking for photos, Ni handed over the iPhone with a warning: “Don’t sell it!” Similar exchanges followed with others who expressed personal reasons for needing the phones, especially for family members, creating moments that fans found touching yet humorous due to the language barrier.
The influencer’s unconventional generosity and humorous exchanges have earned him considerable fame abroad, even as netizens in China discuss the reasons behind his ban. Many speculate that Ni’s high-profile presence and critiques of platform policies led to the shutdown, as his content often highlighted complaints about platform revenue-sharing practices. “People who bite the hand that feeds them will get burned,” one netizen commented, suggesting that Ni’s critical remarks might have spurred the platform’s decision to ban him.
Others theorize that Ni's ban might relate to his association with controversies involving his affiliated creators, although this remains speculative. Nevertheless, his dramatic exit from Chinese platforms has only seemed to fuel his popularity internationally, where he is now known as an enigmatic figure gifting “Chinese treasures” to delighted crowds.
On social media, some fans joke that the “Chinese gifts” he distributes - iPhones - could sustain a family for months in regions like Bangladesh, sparking curiosity about the impact of his giveaways. However, many viewers remain wary, wondering about his motives. A popular comment on his TikTok account reads, “Is this a publicity stunt or genuine generosity?”
Ultimately, Ni Haishan’s unexpected rise on TikTok has given him a second wave of fame, allowing him to reach fans far beyond China. His videos have garnered millions of views, with his follower count climbing rapidly.
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