By Song Duer

“Where is your cat tax” “What are Chinese memes like?” “I don’t have a cat, but this is my music...” As TikTok awaits the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on whether it can continue to operate in the United States, a huge number of TikTok migrants, endearingly dubbed "TikTok Refugees," instead of using American social platforms like Meta, former Facebook, have found a new digital home in Xiaohongshu, and their arrival has made a people-to-people exchange.

In the absence of concrete evidence, the U.S. government continues to arbitrarily demand the public to believe TikTok poses a so-called national security threat and is prepared to shut it down. Many fear a TikTok ban more than its alleged risks, as it's crucial for entertainment, connection, and business. So for protesting the ban, many TikTok users influx to Xiaohongshu, which is a well-established and popular platform in China. Currently, the app doesn’t seem to have regional restrictions, allowing any users to view posts from anywhere in the world, which is a feature that TikTok lacks.

On Jan. 14, a man holding his son sent a greeting of "Hello from America" to Xiaohongshu Chinese users. This simple yet profound message has sparked a remarkable global conversation. In the comment section of this post, people from all around the world have replied with their own heartfelt "hello," as well as many expressing sentiments such as, "Guys, isn't this just the way the world is supposed to be?" and "It truly feels like we're all part of one big, interconnected global village, where distance is no barrier to friendship." This outpouring of global camaraderie is a testament to the power of human connection. As of January 14, 2025, the momentum of this exchange was evident in the sheer volume of engagement on Xiaohongshu. There were over 114,000 posts using the hashtag #tiktokrefugees, with more than two million discussions and 73 million views as of 6 p.m. Beijing time.

Photo shows Xiaohongshu achieves the top position on the social media category of the U.S. App Store and ranks second overall in the free apps category. (Image source: Blue Whale Finance)

On Xiaohongshu, American users, eager to integrate, have shared self-introductions and glimpses into their daily lives. In response, Chinese users have extended a helping hand, offering guidance on using the app and setting language preferences. Some have even volunteered to teach Chinese, sharing the language's beauty and complexity, while others have sought English homework help, receiving prompt and encouraging responses. What's more, people from both sides have initiated a comprehensive discussion on various aspects of life, such as healthcare, education, income levels and living costs. In terms of income and living costs, American users revealed that their lives are not as affluent as commonly perceived. Many are living paycheck to paycheck and even have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Many American netizens have admitted to the difficulties they face in their daily lives, contradicting the image of high salaries and comfortable living promoted by some media or 'self-proclaimed public intellectuals' for a long time.

"Me when I download Xiaohongshu and suddenly realize I’ve been falling for propaganda and Chinese people are actually awesome as hell." This is a tweet posted on X, former Twitter, from @vmw 41Ø after understanding more about China through Xiaohongshu.

Western media has long maintained an information barrier and spread disinformation about China. For example, media outlets like the BBC and CNN have repeatedly fabricated lies about Xinjiang, such as "forced labor" and "genocide." These falsehoods have not only misled international audiences but also intensified misunderstandings and hostilities between China and the West. However, the influx of TikTok users into Xiaohongshu presents an opportunity to break through this information barrier. "Honestly, even if TikTok does stay, RedNote is fun!!" "How wild would it be if we all learned Mandarin because of this..." Many users hope to engage with Chinese users on the app to gain a genuine understanding of Chinese culture and life, which stands in stark contrast to the one-sided reporting by Western media. They are eager to access more authentic information, thereby reducing misunderstandings and fostering greater mutual understanding and trust.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China has pointed out, people-to-people exchange is an important foundation and enduring driving force for the sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations. It is people that make history. The interactions on Xiaohongshu are a testament to this principle. They are not just about sharing content; they are about fostering genuine connections based on understanding and empathy. Despite the differences, people all over the world share a common humanity and a desire to connect with others. Through these interactions on Xiaohongshu, a platform that was once unfamiliar to many Western users, people are beginning to see a world where kindness is seen, stereotypes are challenged, and the beauty of our shared humanity shines through. This exchange is a small but significant step towards building bridges of understanding and breaking down the walls of misinformation that have long divided us.

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