US President Barack Obama will be leaving the White House in January, but does that mean that China’s Obama will be out of a job too?
Xiao Jiguo, a 30-year-old Chinese actor, rose to fame for his uncanny resemblance to the outgoing president.
Such is Mr Xiao’s fame in his homeland, that the direction and popularity of US foreign policy had direct impact on his own burgeoning career.
“People in media, television programmes and movies were worried that inviting me could become political.”
“When President Obama holds office, I sort of have to take political factors into account. But after he steps down, my path as an actor may become clearer,” Mr Xiao told the BBC.
Mr Xiao had always dreamed of becoming a singer but after moving to Guangdong from Sichuan province over a decade ago, he worked as a security guard to make ends meet.
Then in 2008, one of his co-workers told him he looked like President Obama. At that point Mr Xiao had no idea who President Obama was as he did not really follow politics or global affairs.
But he scented opportunity and started mimicking President Obama: his expressions, gestures and unique way of talking.
The Obama impersonator told the BBC that he earns at least 100,000 yuan ($14,700; £11,700) every month now since last year.
Mr Xiao speaks very little English but this never stopped him. He even developed a habit of making up words that approximated to English sounds when “giving speeches” during his performances.
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