Livestream shopping has become a new consumer trend in China, with ambassadors from around the world invited to promote their specialty products to Chinese consumers, oftentimes resulting in hot sales. One expert noted that this trend reflects Chinese consumers’ distrust in domestic brands. This online shopping method became popular in the past two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Chinese state-owned Xinhua News, ambassadors to China from countries like Benin, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Tanzania have joined in this new shopping trend. “From initial curiosity to enthusiasm, many ambassadors quickly fell in love with live commerce to promote their countries’ specialty products,” Xinhua reported on Nov. 29. Livestream sales events hosted by ambassadors, such as Palitha Kohona of Sri Lanka, James Kimonyo of Rwanda, and Teshome Toga of Ethiopia, promoted products that sold out almost instantly. For example, on Jan. 6, 2020, Ambassador Kimonyo promoted 1,500 kilograms of coffee …