The recent influx of TikTok users based in the United States into Chinese lifestyle-sharing app Xiaohongshu, now also known as RedNote, has brought the young people of the two countries closer in more ways than one could imagine.
The U.S. ban on TikTok over so-called national security concerns, which took effect on Jan 19, prompted the "TikTok refugees" to turn to another Chinese app in an egg-on-the-face moment for U.S. authorities. Despite language barriers, U.S. social media users entered the world of Chinese social media, creating cross-cultural frisson and opening up a magic portal for better mutual understanding.
Among the current popular trends on Xiaohongshu is one where U.S. users are attempting authentic Chinese dishes posted by their Chinese peers. After a Chinese influencer's video on making the perfect jiggly Chinese steamed eggs went viral, the "TikTok refugees" put on their aprons to give the recipe a crack.
Leah Saifi, an influencer from New York, posted a video of her making the steamed eggs, garnering over 160,000 likes and 20,000 comments.
"I really love the community you all have built here. I'm constantly in awe of how wonderful and joyous you are to each other. Thank you everyone for your acceptance and excitement," she wrote in the caption for her video.
Saifi received encouraging comments from Chinese users, with some of them suggesting ways to improve the dish with more ingredients such as ham and vegetables.
Not just users in the U.S., a couple living in Canada, where TikTok is not banned, also took up the challenge on Xiaohongshu. Nelson and Liz posted a video of their Chinese steamed eggs, quickly amassing over 70,000 likes and 13,000 comments.
Many Chinese users were thrilled by their attempt and cheered them on, posting comments like "Oh no! The foreigners made steamed eggs far better than I do!"
Such easy and effortless cross-cultural connections have caught many by surprise.
Speaking to China Daily, Shi Anbin, a professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, said, "Xiaohongshu provides U.S. netizens with unique experiences that they cannot find on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, which partly explains its surge in popularity, although Xiaohongshu is not originally tailored for an international user base."
Another popular trend is Xiaohongshu users replying to a fictional character, called Li Hua, who has regularly appeared in China's gaokao, or national college entrance exam, as part of questions in the English writing section.
In gaokao, Chinese students are tasked with writing letters in English to foreign pen pals, introducing traditional festivals, local specialties and daily life in China. The task often begins with the instruction, "Assuming you are Li Hua...".
With the influx of foreign users, many Chinese users started to post comments such as, "Li Hua finally got replies to his letters!"
An influencer, who goes by the name Meizijiang, said in a video: "After writing letters to an imaginary pen pal and never getting any reply for 10 years, we finally got real letters from you guys on RedNote. You're like Li Hua's pen pal finally coming to life. It feels magical."
The foreign users played along. Douglas, whose screen name is "neonhotel", posted a video saying: "Dear Li Hua, I'm sorry I didn't get your letters. I understand you've been writing (to) me for a long time, but now I'm here to reply."
Sarah Dale, a blogger from Mississippi, posted a video saying: "The expanse between us has always felt so vast in so many different ways, from the deep ocean that separates us to the years of generational misunderstanding and assumptions. I'm sorry that I have not always truly known you for all your beauty. ... Thank you for your generosity, inclusion and open heart toward me. … I hope that this friendship navigates our children toward a world where every little Li Hua's letter written is returned with excitement and love."
Some foreign users mentioned digging "a hole to China", with one post from the U.S. saying: "I remember digging countless holes on the beach or at the park, trying to achieve this feat. I think, in a way, we too have been trying to reach you as well, and now, we have found a hole that we can crawl through and visit."
Many Chinese users responded by saying that they have dug "a magical hole with the help of the internet".
Such heartwarming bonds have been forged with people from around the world despite language barriers and cultural differences, and despite attempts from various foreign authorities to hide the truth about China from their own people.
"The interactions between Chinese and global netizens have turned Xiaohongshu into a cosmopolitan community by connecting shared human interests and creating collective memories. It has provided a new lens for the world to better understand the real and techno-savvy lifestyle among Chinese Gen Z users," said Shi, from Tsinghua University.
Sarah Thrush, from the U.S., noted on her Xiaohongshu account, "Love and friendship can transcend the distance."
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