When Wham! became ambassadors to China

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 27, 2026

Wham!'s 1985 tour of China, the first by a Western pop band, is revisited in the new documentary "Wham! 10 Days in China," which features restored footage and new interviews revealing the cultural and diplomatic challenges they faced. The film underscores the trip's lasting impact on East-West relations and offers insight into the band's role as reluctant cultural ambassadors during a politically sensitive time.

Forty years after Wham! became the first Western pop band to perform in China, a new documentary revisits the significance of their 1985 visit, shedding light on the cultural and diplomatic impact of the trip. "Wham! 10 Days in China," directed by Mike Christie and released on July 28, offers a fresh perspective on the experience with restored footage and new interviews, including reflections from band member Andrew Ridgeley.

At the time, Wham! was already enjoying considerable success in the United States and Britain, with chart-topping singles like "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" and "Careless Whisper." The China tour was part of a strategic effort to increase their visibility and consolidate their popularity in the U.S., according to Ridgeley, who explained the calculated nature of the trip and its unexpected long-term legacy in China.

The documentary contrasts with "Foreign Skies," a 1986 film about the same tour, by providing previously unseen material that captures moments of unease as Ridgeley and George Michael adjusted to an unofficial role as cultural ambassadors during the politically sensitive engagement. The film shows the band navigating the complexities of their diplomatic position, including a tense news conference with British journalists who questioned their views on China’s communist government and their celebrity status.

Ridgeley recounted the challenges of interacting with a carefully managed fan base, highlighting George Michael’s frustration with staged encounters set up for a planned documentary by filmmaker Lindsay Anderson. Michael’s discomfort was such that he temporarily withdrew from public appearances, leaving Ridgeley to address fans and media on his behalf.

Despite these pressures, Ridgeley described the trip as memorable, recalling moments such as playing soccer with locals, exploring Chinese cuisine including trying a century egg, and even having a Mao suit tailored. His visits to iconic sites like the Great Wall are featured in the film, underscoring the cultural exchange dimension of the journey.

George Michael passed away in 2016, but Ridgeley continues to honor their partnership and the legacy they built together. He emphasized the close bond shared between them, relating personal moments and the camaraderie evident in the film’s candid scenes. Wham! disbanded amicably shortly after the China tour, paving the way for Michael’s highly successful solo career.

Ridgeley remains proud of their accomplishments, noting that with time, listeners have increasingly focused on the music itself rather than the surrounding controversies. He also highlighted the enduring friendship that sustained the duo through their professional evolution, acknowledging Michael’s exceptional talent and foresight to pursue a solo path.

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