Chinese Livestreamer Goes Viral for Humorously Confronting Racism Online

A Chinese livestreamer from Xinjiang has become an unlikely Internet sensation after using humor and his striking resemblance to traditional depictions of Jesus Christ to confront racist remarks during cross-border video chats.

The content creator, 27-year-old Dilyar Abulikenmu, better known online as "Lusiferr," has attracted widespread attention on Chinese social media in recent weeks, earning the nickname "Xinjiang Jesus." The hashtag associated with him became a trending topic in June, with many users praising his witty responses to prejudice and misinformation.

Dilyar, an ethnic Uygur from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, operates a popular account on the Chinese video-sharing platform Bilibili, where he has more than 620,000 followers. With his naturally curly hair, deep-set eyes and facial features that resemble those commonly portrayed in Western religious paintings, many online viewers have compared him to Jesus.

Ironically, Dilyar did not initially build his online presence around that resemblance. In videos posted in late 2024, he appeared genuinely surprised that viewers repeatedly told him he looked like the Christian figure.

His content centers on conversations with strangers through international video-chat platforms that randomly connect users from around the world. Fluent in English, Mandarin and Uygur, Dilyar often engages in lighthearted exchanges in which foreign users try to guess his nationality. Many assume he is from the Middle East, Turkey or Latin America, and are often surprised when he reveals that he is Chinese.

These conversations frequently evolve into discussions about Xinjiang and daily life in the region. Dilyar uses the opportunity to share his personal experiences and challenge misconceptions about his hometown.

Not all encounters are friendly. Some users respond with racial slurs, mocking gestures or stereotypes after learning he is Chinese. Rather than reacting angrily, Dilyar often answers with humor.

In some of his most-viewed clips, he puts on a crown of thorns and adopts a mock-serious tone inspired by depictions of Jesus, asking those making offensive remarks to repeat what they said while looking at his "holy" appearance. The comedic exchanges have resonated with viewers, with several videos attracting more than 5 million views on Bilibili.