Chinese social media app RedNote, known locally as Xiaohongshu, has seen an influx of more than 700,000 US users, driven by looming TikTok restrictions in the US due to national security concerns.
Many Chinese users welcomed “TikTok refugees” with selfies and messages on Wednesday, while Beijing encouraged stronger cultural ties through such exchanges.
RedNote, which is mainly used for lifestyle recommendations, has become a channel for interactions between the US and China, with users sharing photos and asking about pets, food and daily life. However, not all Chinese users were happy, with some expressing concerns about the platform being taken over and nationalist bloggers warning of American cultural influence.
Chinese state media, including CCTV, praised the trend, calling RedNote a “new home” for TikTok users. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiaqun supported the development, highlighting the importance of cultural exchanges and mutual understanding.
Unlike other Chinese platforms, RedNote does not require users to have Chinese phone numbers and runs one unified version of its app. In contrast, ByteDance separates TikTok from Douyin, while most Chinese platforms limit foreign access.
Similar trends have been observed in the past with Western platforms like Clubhouse, which saw a rise in Chinese users before being banned by censors in Beijing.