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From TikTok to RedNote: Bridging continents in a click

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With the U.S. ban on TikTok looming, many Americans are opting for another Chinese app known as RedNote, January 17, 2025. /CFP
With the U.S. ban on TikTok looming, many Americans are opting for another Chinese app known as RedNote, January 17, 2025. /CFP

With the U.S. ban on TikTok looming, many Americans are opting for another Chinese app known as RedNote, January 17, 2025. /CFP

Editor's note: Yi Xin is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In recent days, a large wave of American netizens, calling themselves "TikTok refugees," have spontaneously flocked to an alternative social media platform called RedNote, or Xiaohongshu in Chinese, out of the concern that TikTok might be shut down for good. Almost overnight, this app from China has transformed into a hangout spot for netizens across the vast Pacific Ocean, where they share experiences, engage in lively interactions, and exchange insights without "intermediaries."

These newcomers are encouraged to pay their "pet tax" on the platform, which – basically means , just showing a picture of your their cat, dog, or any other cute pet, and they are good to go. On the platform, the Chinese are helping the Americans with their math homework, who in turn offer English lessons. With these exchanges growing, conversations have naturally expanded to cover daily life and practical topics like living expenses. For instance, users have compared rental prices, university tuition fees, and the cost of groceries between the two countries. Interestingly, open dialogues revealed that some of their initial assumptions about each other were significantly inaccurate. Chinese netizens have come to understand that the idealized image of the U.S. featuring big villas, high-paying jobs, and free healthcare doesn't quite match the reality. Meanwhile, many American netizens have discovered that the media portrayal of China as a place mired in suffering is far from the truth.

"TikTok refugees" have been warmly received by Xiaohongshu users, who shared photos and videos with these newcomers, offering food and travel tips, while even providing free language lessons, January 16, 2025. /CFP

"TikTok refugees" have been warmly received by Xiaohongshu users, who shared photos and videos with these newcomers, offering food and travel tips, while even providing free language lessons, January 16, 2025. /CFP

The exchange of information between Chinese and American netizens has unveiled the biases of some Western mainstream media. For years, these U.S. media giants have propagated influence often tainted by bias and conspiracy theories to cast aspersions on China, its government, and its people. Their reports are frequently riddled with distortions and outright falsehoods, painting an unfairly bleak picture of China's future and portraying it as an implacable adversary. This twisted narrative has prompted some American netizens to question, "How can China be a threat to the U.S. if it's on the brink of collapse?" Contrary to these portrayals, a recent global survey conducted by the Global Times reveals that over 90 percent of the foreign respondents express interest in China; 63 percent hold a favorable view of China and more than 70 percent  have a good impression of the Chinese spirit of perseverance and innovation.

Ironically, a ban on TikTok, rooted in the U.S. government's zero-sum mindset, has spurred friendly interactions between the two nations. Much like the recent "China Travel" trend, which encourages visa-free trips to China, this online exploration of China by American netizens has similarly provided them with a fresh, multifaceted, and positive image of the country.

A netizen from Arizona shared a photo of the moon in her locality on RedNote and wrote in Chinese: "Good morning, China! The moon is still up in the sky here. I think it's cool that we can see it at the same time through this app! I hope everyone has a pleasant evening!" Many Chinese netizens responded to her with ancient Chinese poems like, "May we all live long and share the moon's glow, no matter the distance" and "True friends are close in heart, no matter how far apart." RedNote's downloads are surging globally, not just in the U.S. but across all continents. This has fostered an online "global village," where people from around the world come together to share photos and stories. It's a prime example of a community with a shared future for everyone that China has long championed – one marked by peaceful development, common security, mutual benefits, and cultural exchange rather than conflicts.

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "Though miles apart, we share the same sky." Despite vast distances, human emotions are universal, and the longing for world peace and development remains constant. In our rapidly changing and often turbulent world, from television news to real-life encounters, we too often witness distrust, instability, conflicts, and even wars. However, this unexpected unity among people worldwide acts as a warm beam of light, illuminating hearts and awakening sincerity. "Is it not a pleasure to have friends come from afar?" 

With the Spring Festival, now recognized as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, just around the corner, many foreigners are posting Chinese New Year greetings on RedNote, eagerly awaiting the Year of the Snake alongside Chinese users. They are not mere "refugees" but rather "distant relatives." A warm smile and a kind word can easily bridge the gap of past disconnection and pave the way for a brighter future.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)

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