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Yes, he can: Sichuan’s answer to Barack Obama cashes in on his moment in the sun

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Xiao Jiguo, centre, US President Barack Obama's Chinese alter ego,  views footage on set in Guangzhou. Photo: Southern Metropolis News
Keira Lu Huang

A man from the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan who has made a living off his resemblance to US President Barack Obama since 2012 has a new job – as the face of a plastic surgery clinic in Guangzhou.

After working for a decade in coastal Guangdong province as waiter, factory worker and security guard, 28-year-old Xiao Jiguo landed an acting career after appearing as Obama on a mainland reality show in 2012. His physical resemblance to the 44th US president sealed his fate as a comedy actor, the Southern Metropolis News reported.

Earlier this month, Xiao just finished his part in a comedy movie in Guangzhou. He played a gangster who looked like Obama.

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Since last month, the Guangzhou “Obama” has suddenly generated even more fans online, the report said, with a flood of media requests to visit the set.

Now, Xiao’s Obama portraits have appeared across Guangzhou thanks to a contract the actor signed with a local plastic surgery clinic.

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Xiao has recently signed another contract with a company in Fujian province and has received numerous offers from people wanting to be his agent.

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