Tony is reluctant to explain stand-up as a type of one-man cross-talk to Chinese people unfamiliar with the form.

"It has no Chinese equivalent," he said.

Xijiangyue sees other differences between the comedic traditions. He said Westerners like more complicated jokes that take longer to set up, but in China this often does not work.

"People don't laugh," he said, adding that Chinese are accustomed to cross-talk, which satisfies the audience by speaking fast or showing off skills.

Joe Wong echoed the observation.

"The domestic audience like direct jokes. The more straightforward you are, the more they laugh. But foreigners prefer to think for a while, and then laugh," he said. Wong performed stand-up on China's Central Television last year.

Chinese comedy has had a big year: a number of comedy shows were launched on prime-time TV, several comedic movies topped China's box office, and the China Comedy Theater opened in Beijing.

Many young Chinese are watching foreign stand-up online to kill time and brush up their knowledge of foreign languages and Western culture. Others have been inspired to create comedy programs for TV and social media.

Xijiangyue said he would not stop playing in the pubs, coffee shops, and theaters where he got his start.

"Stage performance is practice for me," he said. "I used to be anxious about personal gains and losses in business, but after 12 years of doing stand-up, I care more about my peace of mind. Just be happy."

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