Chinese official plays Gangnam Style

A Chinese official has played the role of South Korean rapper PSY in a "Gangnam Style" video to promote tourism.

PYS's "Gangnam Style" went viral this year with his unique horse-riding dance.

The promotional video attracted attention from the Chinese online community after a tourism bureau official in straw clothing in the central Chinese province of Hunan was seen doing a local traditional dance, similar to the horse-riding dance.

Zheng Yaping, a 58-year-old deputy director of the Wulingyuan district in the city of Zhangjiajie, was accidentally chosen to play the role when he passed the location where the video was being shot. The crew needed an older man for a role.

"Although I am old, I have no problem in dancing such a dance," Zheng told Xinhua.

The video is designed to promote tourism particularly to South Korean visitors.

"Many of our overseas tourists are from South Korea and also, the music video 'Gangnam Style' was created in South Korea," Zheng said. "I just think that dancing a South Korean dance is one of the ways to extend the welcome to them."

Governments should make a departure from traditional ways when promoting a place's culture and tourism, said Ding Jiayong, an associate professor at Hunan Normal University.

"People are more inclined to accept fresh new ideas and friendly actions," Ding said.