BEIJING, January 27, 2026 – Shawn Jiang, Founder and CEO of China Advocate, a Beijing-based boutique strategic communications firm, recently joined a distinguished panel of global communications leaders for the "Influence XXI: 2026 Global Influence Insights" webinar. Hosted by Newmark Group Ltd, a member of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), the session brought together industry experts to explore the evolution of trust and influence in an increasingly complex global landscape.As the sole representative from the Asia-Pacific region, Jiang was joined by senior PR leaders including Marisa Toro, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Marlow Insight and VP of PRGN EMEA; Gilbert Manirakiza, CEO of Newmark Group Ltd; and Lovelyn Okafor, Country Manager at Newmark Nigeria.

During the discussion, Jiang offered a deep dive into the unique logic of the APAC media and digital ecosystem. He noted that as we head toward 2026, influence in Asia is no longer about simple "information delivery" but has shifted toward "Local Value Resonance."

Breaking the "One Asia" Myth

Navigating Digital Walled Gardens ：Jiang emphasized that understanding APAC requires moving past the idea of a monolithic market. Instead, it should be viewed as a series of distinct "Digital Walled Gardens" with unique cultural codes:

· China: Influence is a marathon, not a sprint. Building trust requires a "Triple Endorsement" model: Authority (alignment with policy or experts), Platform Closed-loops (integrated ecosystems like WeChat and Douyin), and Community Belonging (authentic grassroots trust via KOCs). For B2C brands, it is about "Zhong Cao" (Planting Grass)—nurturing desire through peer reviews and scenario-based storytelling. For B2B tech brands, the focus must shift away from "translated" corporate jargon toward an "Industrial Language" that addresses the real pain points of China’s manufacturing upgrade and "New Quality Productive Forces."

· Japan & South Korea: Influence is "Hyper-Niche," relying heavily on deep loyalty within specific subcultures. In Japan, the 2023 Shitema (Stealth Marketing) regulations have fundamentally heightened the requirements for transparency in influencer collaborations and PR practices.

· Southeast Asia & India: Southeast Asia is a "Cultural Balancing Act" requiring precision in bilingual communication and religious sensitivities (e.g., Halal certification). Meanwhile, India remains a story of "Regional Fragmentation," where the void left by TikTok has been filled by platforms like Instagram Reels and local apps like Moj, making regional dialect storytelling essential for deep consumer engagement.

Addressing how global brands can navigate regulatory and cultural hurdles, Jiang argued that in APAC, trust is the "1" and influence is the "0" that follows—without the former, the latter has no value. He introduced a vivid strategic framework: "Compliance is the boat, Empathy is the sail, and Regional Synergy is the current."With the deepening of regulations like China’s PIPL and Singapore’s PDPA, compliance has become the "seatbelt" and a prerequisite for market entry. Furthermore, Jiang advised brands to move from a "Visitor’s Mindset" to becoming a "Good Neighbor," building trust on long-termism, reliability, and reciprocity rather than purely sales-driven tactics. He recommended a "Trust Pyramid" model—using Experts for authority, KOLs for reach, and KOCs for authentic grassroots trust—to balance global prestige with local intimacy.

A Two-Way Bridge: Empowering MNCs "Inbound" and Chinese Leaders "Outbound" 

As a premier brand strategy consultancy, China Advocate serves as both a "guide" for multinational corporations entering China and a "think tank" for Chinese enterprises expanding globally.

"We have helped global tech giants like Amazon, Dell, LinkedIn, and Snapchat build reputations and win trust within China's complex regulatory and media environment," said Jiang. "Equally, we are proud to support the global expansion of China’s 'New Three' industries, represented by leaders such as Chery Automobile and CATL. These companies need a deep understanding of local nuances abroad just as much as MNCs need to understand China’s 'hidden rules.' China Advocate acts as a bicultural partner, helping foreign firms decode China and helping Chinese firms build global narratives that meet international standards."

Jiang’s participation in the webinar underscores China Advocate’s position as a thought leader in the APAC communications industry. Looking toward 2026, the firm remains committed to its philosophy of "Working Locally, Thinking Globally," providing world-class strategic advisory services for organizations navigating the complexities of globalization.