‘You are not refugees, but brave explorers’: Chinese netizens welcome US users on RedNote with open arms
CHINA / SOCIETY
‘You are not refugees, but brave explorers’: Chinese netizens welcome US users on RedNote with open arms
Published: Jan 14, 2025 07:57 PM
<em>Xiaohongshu</em> Photo: CFP

Xiaohongshu Photo: CFP


Amid growing concerns over a potential TikTok ban in the US, Chinese social media app "RedNote," or Xiaohongshu, has quickly risen in popularity, securing a top spot on Top Free Apps list in Apple App Store in the US.

At Chinese A-share market's opening on Tuesday, RedNote-related stocks surged, with companies like Foshan Yowant Technology and Inly Media Co reaching their daily limit during pre-market bidding.

A large group of TikTok users based in the US, calling themselves "TikTok refugees," were seen on the Chinese social media platform. Many of them posted videos in which they shared reasons for joining a platform primarily designed for Chinese-speaking users.

They said that they moved to RedNote as they fear they are not going to be able to access TikTok after January 19. "US government is claiming that it is because of data privacy concerns as the parent company of TikTok is Chinese," one of the newcomers, a US netizen named "WakoGeek" explained on a video she posted on "RedNote."

The US Supreme Court held a two-hour discussion on January 10 regarding the future of TikTok in the US, according to an audio livestream on the court's website. On December 6, 2024, a US federal appeals court upheld a law mandating ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest the app within the US by January 19, 2025 or face a ban, Reuters reported.

"Our government vilifies China, claiming China will use TikTok to turn Americans against the US. We all think that is ridiculous. So as a protest, and with much humor we collectively decided to join RedNote and willingly give our info to China to show our government we don't care and challenge them," Amy, a US netizen from Massachusetts who opened her account on "RedNote," told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Many of US netizens settling into RedNote now are engaging with Chinese netizens, eager to learn how to use the new app and build communities around their interests, especially on pets like dogs and cats. Posting cat photos is often nicknamed as paying "cat tax" on the app. 

Nina from Texas is one of the new users, and she posted photos of her collection of cats, books, and toys. 

"After I opened an account on 'RedNote,' I found it very similar to TikTok and it's one of the few Chinese apps available in the US App Store," Nina told the Global Times. "I personally would love to interact with Chinese users as well as US users. I hope the platform will add an in-house translation feature for comments." 

She also noted the shop option in the app, and expressed hope that it will soon be available to international users.

Chinese netizens welcomed the American users will open arms. One popular comment on Xiaohongshu said "Friends who come over from TikTok, I want to say, you are not refugees, you are brave explorers."

Some Chinese netizens began to find creative ways to interact with the American users, including asking US netizens to help them with their English homework.

In the meantime, numerous videos have been shared on the platform by existing users offering English-language tutorials on how to navigate the Putonghua-dominated app while overcoming language barriers. Tips include how to activate Chinese-English subtitles and use the app's translation feature to understand Chinese content. "Welcome" comments were frequently left under newcomers' posts and tips were given on how to use the app. "If you are interested, you can click on the link in the comments to join a group chat," a Chinese netizen wrote, aiming to provide important information to the newcomers.

A Chinese netizen surnamed Liu, who posted some tips on using "RedNotes" for international users, told the Global Times she noticed many international users had questions about navigating the app. By sharing these tips, she wanted to help them use the platform more effectively and to prevent the spread of content that may be inappropriate or incompatible on the app. 

"The fundamental principle of communication is openness and inclusiveness. We hope they will share their perspectives on China, giving us the opportunity for fair communication," Liu said.

According to The New York Times, there is a chance that US President-elect Donald Trump will "try to rescue the app," which boasts 170 million users in the US, but the law that seeks to ban the short-form video app is scheduled to go into effect the day before his inauguration.

"We are still hoping for a miracle to happen, and even if the ban doesn't go into effect I would still love to remain on 'RedNote,'" Nina said. "The Chinese people here are so kind and I wouldn't want to part ways with such a lovely community."
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