Chinese Netizens Welcome TikTok Refugees with Playful Humor

With the potential TikTok ban in the U.S. looming, many American users are flocking to RedNote, a Chinese social media platform, and are being warmly greeted by Chinese netizens. This migration, dubbed the “TikTok refugee” movement, was sparked by a January 19 deadline for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the platform or face a ban in the U.S. As more users sign up, RedNote has shot to the top of the free app charts in the U.S., making it the go-to platform for millions looking for a TikTok alternative.

Known as Xiaohongshu (meaning “little red book”), RedNote has gained global popularity, especially among younger users, and it’s now blending cultures, languages, and humor in ways that are both hilarious and heartwarming. The platform is quickly becoming a hub for cross-cultural exchanges, as Americans and Chinese users interact in fun and creative ways. Here are some of the playful exchanges happening on the app:

• “If you like Chinese, we kiss kiss; if you hate Chinese, we punch punch.” Chinese users are greeting Americans with a mix of humor and Chinglish, adding a quirky twist to the welcome.
• Cat Tax: A new trend has emerged where users are posting pictures of their pets (preferably cats) as a “tax” to continue engaging on the platform. Foreign users are quick to join in, sharing their own pet photos with the caption, “Here’s me paying my cat tax. Please enjoy!”
• English Homework Help: Chinese students have turned to RedNote, asking foreign users for help with their English homework. Many Americans are happily answering questions, and some joke that the assignments are tough even for native speakers.
• “Morning C, Evening A”: As American users flood the platform, Chinese users are humorously referring to the time difference as “Morning C” for Chinese users and “Evening A” for Americans.

Despite rising U.S.-China tensions, RedNote has become a rare space for positive interaction between the two cultures, with many users expressing their excitement about the new connections. One viewer noted, “This feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Even if it’s fleeting, just witnessing it is worth it.”

Read Also: How to signup for Red note

In China, RedNote users have mixed feelings about the influx of foreign users, with some excited about the opportunity to practice their English, while others question how the shift might impact the platform’s content and moderation. Some wonder if RedNote will eventually split into domestic and international versions to accommodate different cultural norms and regulatory requirements.

For those interested in joining the fun, registering for RedNote is simple—just use your phone number or a third-party account like WeChat to get started. Whether you’re here for the pet pictures, cultural exchanges, or just a new platform to explore, RedNote is quickly becoming a vibrant space for creative connections.