The imminent ban of TikTok in the United States has led to a unique form of protest from its users. Many have migrated to Chinese social media app XiaoHongShu – an Instagram-like lifestyle platform referred to as RedNote in English. Americans on RedNote say they've been warmly welcomed by the app's Chinese users. Yu Li takes a look at how some content creators believe this unexpected shift is enabling cultural understanding.
The sudden influx of U.S. users on RedNote has skyrocketed the app to the top of the Apple App Store.
YU LI Beijing "In about two weeks, tens of thousands of American users flood into the app, calling themselves 'TikTok refugees.' Some say they want to make friends, some share cooking, makeup and pets, some sing songs, some say they're trying to learn Mandarin, and some explain why they joined."
Definitelynotchippy REDnote User "I'm a U.S.-based tiktoker. The U.S. government are trying to ban tikTok and we think this is like TikTok, it's going viral on TikTok right now."
User Lindsay K. says in a RedNote chatroom that rushing into the app is a form of protest against the U.S. government's demand that TikTok severs ties with its parent company ByteDance – or else be completely banned.
LINDSAY K. REDnote User "Ok, you're going to ban a Chinese app for national security purposes and we're just gonna go for a more Chinese app."
User Meiguomama Brooke says its data security issue isn't the case.
MEIGUOMAMA BROOKE REDnote User "The government isn't worried about national security problem at all, if it was a data security issue, then they would ban all Chinese apps."
Founded in 2013, RedNote is one of China's biggest social media platforms. Content on RedNote is mostly catered to those interested in travel, makeup and fashion. A spillover effect of the influx is Americans and Chinese people connecting with each other.
GODDESSMIA20 REDnote User "I think that is funny, because the people don't have a problem with each other, and this might be a great opportunity for the American people and the Chinese people to talk to each other, because they keep telling us that we have beef with China."
We reached out to RedNote for an interview, but the company declined and simply said they are glad to see people having fun and connecting on the platform.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in a regular press briefing Tuesday that it was a "personal choice," and China supports cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among the peoples of all countries. Yu Li, CGTN, Beijing.