Based on the visual framework theory，this paper uses LDA topic analysis and SPSS correlation analysis methods to make an in-depth analysis of the image of China’s economy built by popular short videos on China-related economic issues that rank among the top 200 in terms of likes and views on two overseas short video platforms，namely，YouTube and TikTok. The research finds that the two overseas short video platforms are building the image of China’s economy across seven main dimensions：China’s economic situation，economic and trade relations，global investment，mobile phones，automobiles，AI，and information on the Internet. Their emphases vary from time to time. The growing strength of China’s science and technology has become an important dimension for overseas short video platforms in building the image of China’s economy，especially China’s innovation and competitiveness in industries such as new energy vehicles，mobile phones，and AI. In terms of focus areas，we-media plays a dominant role in the image-building of Chinese automobiles and mobile phones，while mainstream media focus on the image-building of China’s economic and trade relations，economic situation，and information on the Internet，which involve rivalries among major countries. In terms of visual framework，the two platforms generally adopt the “threat framework” and “rise framework” to portray China as a “dangerous power.” These two visual frameworks echo the dominant discourse on China in the United States and other Western countries，while also promoting the international community’s perception of China as adversarial and competitive.