A potential TikTok ban in the United States has led to an unexpected cultural exchange between Chinese and American citizens, with thousands of US users flocking to the Chinese social media platform RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), to connect with Mandarin-speaking users from China. Despite the geopolitical tensions that are driving the ban, this online interaction has created what many are calling a “historic moment.”
RedNote, unlike other Chinese apps, does not have the internet firewall that typically separates China from the rest of the world. As a result, it has become a haven for US users, some of whom are self-proclaimed “TikTok refugees,” seeking an alternative social media space. These American users are interacting directly with over 300 million Chinese users, in stark contrast to the political environment that is currently causing friction between Washington and Beijing.
The US government’s concerns about TikTok stem from fears that China could be using the app to spy on Americans. The app has faced accusations that user data may end up in the hands of the Chinese government due to a law that mandates Chinese companies assist state intelligence efforts. TikTok denies these allegations, asserting that it operates independently and that no data has been handed over to the Chinese government.
Despite the controversy, many US users are undeterred and have embraced RedNote as a form of resistance. “A lot of us are smarter than that, so we decided to piss off our government and download an actual Chinese app,” said one new user, Definitelynotchippy. “We’re here to spite our government and to learn about China and hang out with you guys.”
In the last two days, RedNote has seen a surge of new users, with 700,000 Americans joining the app, making it the most downloaded free app in the US App Store. These new users are humorously referring to themselves as “Chinese spies,” a playful nod to TikTok’s reputation as a surveillance tool.
The exchange on RedNote has sparked a lighthearted cultural dialogue. One popular post from a Chinese user said, “You don’t even need to travel abroad, you can just talk to foreigners here.” Many users have bonded over shared interests, including food, TV shows, and pets. “Cat tax from California,” one post read, accompanied by a picture of two cats. In turn, Chinese users have welcomed their new American friends with open arms, offering humorous and genuine engagement.
Although Chinese President Xi Jinping has promoted “people-to-people cultural exchanges” between China and the US, the online conversations on RedNote reflect an unscripted and informal version of this ideal. As the ban on TikTok looms, it seems that social media may have facilitated an unlikely, yet significant, bridge between the two nations.
