White monkey is a term used to refer to the phenomenon of
white foreigners or immigrants in
China being hired for modeling, advertising, English teaching, or promotional jobs on the basis of their race.
[1][2] The phenomenon is based on the perception that association with foreigners, specifically white foreigners, can signify prestige, legitimacy, and international status.
[2][3][4] The jobs themselves, called "white monkey jobs" or "face jobs",
[5] often require little actual work on the part of the model, who in some cases is not expected to be fluent in Chinese.
[6][4] The concept is considered a subset of a larger "rent a foreigner" industry in China and parts of Asia.
[2][7]
White monkey jobs are often related to
marketing and
advertising. The "white monkey" may be hired to act as an associate of an individual
[2] 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.
[1][4][7]
While the concept is less viable in larger urban areas with more international exposure,
[1] the practice is common in smaller urban centers and rural areas,
[3] especially those trying to expand or attract real-estate attention by feigning an international presence.
[7]
The concept of white monkey was covered in the documentary
Dream Empire.