Over the past four years, China’s recognition in the international skateboarding subculture has grown significantly. Sure, the West still dominates when it comes to recognizable riders, but China has been quietly and steadily doing its own thing for a while now, and we’re starting to take notice. Since its official inclusion in the Olympics, skateboarding has also begun to attract mainstream attention on the Chinese mainland. So with all that said, let’s take a look at five emerging skaters—from the southernmost to the westernmost regions—who are shaping today’s skateboarding scene in China. And while we recognize that there are many more amazing skaters throughout all of Asia, this is just a start of more to come :).
Hsu Ming Jie / @53xiaojay
The 32-year-old Hsu Ming Jie, originally from Taichung, adopted the nickname “53” from his local dialect—a phrase symbolizing smooth transitions, much like his skateboarding style. True to his name, his skating is fluid and precise. He rides regular and is best known for his clean kickflips and nollies.
In 2019, 53 was featured in VHSMAG, the most renowned skateboarding magazine in Japan and across much of East Asia. Being recognized by such a respected outlet marked a major milestone for 53. A few years ago, he relocated to Hong Kong and joined Victoria HK, a skate collective and brand.
Mikey Silva / @mikey_Silva
Mikey Silva is also now based in Hong Kong and rides with Xiao Jay at Victoria. Originally from Connecticut, Silva mentioned how the hilly landscape there gave him space to practice bombing hills. After living in San Francisco for a while, he moved to Hong Kong to explore more complex urban terrains. Filled to the brim with charm, Silva also works as an incredible chef for More Good, a charity-driven kitchen serving meals to HK’s seniors as well as private events.
When he first arrived, he felt unique—he was often the only white guy skating. But these days, Hong Kong’s skateboarding scene has become far more international. If you’re wondering where to skate in the city, a little tip from Mikey is to check out @crust.hk to scout all the best spots.
The above video documents the most recent trip that 53 and Mikey took with their Victoria crew. A typhoon disrupted their original plans in Osaka and Kobe, so the video is aptly titled Typhoon Vacation.
Ye Jialiang / @jialiang0908
All the skaters in this piece have over a decade of experience—and Ye Jialiang is no exception. At just 24 years old, he began skating at the age of 13, introduced to the sport by a friend of his older sister. Though he stepped away from formal schooling after picking up skateboarding, Ye pursued his passion with focus and determination.
Starting from his hometown of Shenzhen, Ye now travels across the country to compete. His impressive performances have earned him sponsorships from Black Knight Skateboards, Vans, Hero Skateshop, and QuanPin. He fulfilled a goal he stated in a 2016 interview: to become a “skater who floats far and high.”
仁达 / @tibet_renda_skater
T仁达 , who goes by Tibet Renda, is a skateboarder from, well… Tibet! He grabbed our attention for his precise and technical street skating. Riding for local Chinese skate brand Doggies赞助滑手, repts Tibet hard, often showcasing Tibet’s iconic landscapes through the spots he skates at.
His posts from local skateparks and streets emphasize Tibet’s unique identity, countering exoticization narratives by authentically showcasing his heritage. T仁达 may not have the largest social following on this list, but we have a feeling his number is gonna grow after people check out his skating prowess and awesome stylistic sensibility that blends both DGAF skate vibes with Tibetan heritage flare.
Xu Zhao / @the_chink__
The final skater we’re spotlighting stands out not only for his skills on the board but also for his strong personality—Xu Zhao. Now an independent skater with his own brand, Xu was previously sponsored by Vans.
Xu’s journey into skateboarding wasn’t typical for someone with an East Asian upbringing, but it channels the rebellious spirit of the culture. As a teenager, he moved from Weifang to Qingdao and began working at a skate shop owned by a friend of his father. What he didn’t realize at the time was that his wages were secretly being paid by his dad to support his dream.
Later, Xu moved to Shanghai, embedded himself in the local skate scene, and lived there for several years. But his story took a sharp turn after he made headlines for riding a bicycle naked through the city streets in the middle of the night. The stunt cost him sponsorships—including Vans—and led to his departure from both the brand and the city. Today, Xu resides in Chengdu, a recognized center of China’s underground culture. He’s embraced sobriety and discovered new life possibilities. One message he consistently shares to the public: skaters should not give up education:
“I want to tell young skaters: skateboarding and school don’t conflict. My family told me that—I didn’t listen. I refused school and used skating as an excuse. But looking back, you can skate and go to school at the same time. High school is tough, but college gives you more freedom to skate, even abroad. That can improve your skating. So don’t drop out just for skateboarding. If you’re determined, fine—but it’s not as simple as you think.”
Cover image via Instagram/@alencsk8.
