White monkey

White monkey (Chinese: 白猴子; pinyin: Bái hóuzi) is a term for the phenomenon of white foreigners or immigrants in China and Japan[1] being hired for modeling, advertising, English teaching, or promotional jobs on the basis of their race.

[6][7] The concept is considered a subset of a larger "rent a foreigner" industry in China and other parts of Asia.

The "white monkey" may be hired to act as an associate of an individual[3] or pose as an authoritative figure to promote a brand or company, and businesses will occasionally hire these individuals to pose as a founder or executive.

[2][7][8] While the concept is less viable in larger urban areas with more international exposure,[2] the practice is common in smaller urban centers and rural areas,[4][2] especially those trying to expand or attract real-estate attention by feigning an international presence.

[8] Advertising for De Rucci, a Chinese mattress company, prominently showcases an unnamed European-looking man who has been described as the "most famous face in China".