The Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, tops U.S. app charts as TikTok users seek an alternative, sparking cross-cultural exchange and renewed people-to-people connections, said a commentary published by China Media Group (CMG) on Friday.
An edited English-language version of the commentary is as follows:
In recent days, Xiaohongshu has become a sensation in the United States. The Chinese social media app has topped the free downloads chart in the North American Apple App Store.
According to data, from Jan 8 to 14, Xiaohongshu's downloads in the U.S. increased by more than 20 times compared to the previous week and over 30 times compared to the same period in 2024. From sharing pet photos, reviewing outfits, and showcasing food to engaging in lively exchanges with Chinese users, American users are thoroughly enjoying the platform.
Why has Xiaohongshu become popular in the U.S.? The immediate reason is tied to the U.S. government's "sell it or ban it" policy targeting TikTok, the overseas version of China's popular video-sharing app Douyin. With the potential banning of TikTok looming after Jan 19, devoted TikTok users in the U.S. have started flocking to Xiaohongshu as their "new home," referring to themselves as "TikTok refugees."
On the other hand, the abundance of fresh and intriguing content, as well as interactive discussions on Xiaohongshu, has captured the attention of American users. Some have commented that they cannot understand why the U.S. government is labeling TikTok as a national security threat and have expressed hope that Xiaohongshu can become a haven for "cross-cultural exchange."
Xiaohongshu's popularity in the U.S. also reflects a broader truth: Chinese and Americans are eager to connect with and understand each other. No matter how hard some U.S. politicians try to suppress China's development or tarnish its image, the desire for grassroots engagement between the two peoples cannot be stifled.
In fact, looking back at the history of China-U.S. relations, there are numerous examples of heartwarming people-to-people exchanges. During World War II, the American Flying Tigers aided China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The "Guling story" serves as a memory of China-U.S. bond of love and friendship. The "ping-pong diplomacy" in the 1970s helped thaw relations between the two nations. These examples demonstrate that, despite differences in history, culture, and political systems, the people of China and the United States hold genuine goodwill toward one another. This goodwill is the source of vitality behind the long-term stability and development of China-U.S. relations.
In recent years, however, China-U.S. cultural and people-to-people exchanges have faced "cold waves and headwinds." Certain individuals in the U.S. have grown increasingly anxious about China's rise, mistakenly viewing the country as its "greatest strategic competitor." From advocating "decoupling" and "de-risking" to erecting "small yards and high fences," these individuals have fueled policies aimed at containing and suppressing China, making it a new form of political correctness in Washington.
Some anti-China politicians and media outlets in the U.S. have even sought to revive McCarthyism through initiatives like the "China Initiative," subjecting Chinese students and scholars in the U.S. to unwarranted scrutiny and harassment. These actions not only cast a shadow over people-to-people exchanges but also harm America's reputation as a destination for global talent and innovation.
Summarizing the lessons in the China-U.S. relations of the past four years, Chinese President Xi Jinping condensed them into seven pillars of wisdom to support healthy bilateral relations, during his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Lima, Peru in November 2024. Among them, he emphasized that regarding China-U.S. relations, it is important to increase dialogue and cooperation, respond to the expectations of both peoples, build bridges to bring the two peoples closer together, and eliminate obstacles and disruptions to avoid creating a chilling effect.
Currently, thanks to joint efforts by China and the U.S., exchanges and cooperation in certain areas are showing signs of stabilization and recovery. A major highlight of China-U.S. relations in 2024 was the implementation of the initiative raised by President Xi in 2023 to invite 50,000 U.S. students on exchange and study programs in the next five years to strengthen exchanges and interactions, deepen mutual understanding, and carry forward the traditional friendship between the two nations. In its first year, nearly 15,000 American young people traveled to China for exchange programs, surpassing the annual target and involving all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
As China continues to roll out measures to facilitate the entry of foreign visitors, "China Travel" has become a trending phrase internationally. Many American influencers have traveled to China to explore the country. "I saw a modern, vibrant, and dynamic China," one influencer remarked, adding, "It's nothing like how Western media describes it." They have shared their experiences of Chinese cuisine, breathtaking scenery, and unique cultural encounters with American audiences and the wider world, offering a glimpse of the real China.
In China-U.S. relations, the hope lies in the people, the foundation is rooted in the societies, the future depends on the youth, and the vitality thrives in local communities. Looking back, it is the mutual efforts of the two peoples that have repeatedly brought China-U.S. relations back on track after periods of downturn. Today, the actions of the two peoples once again demonstrate that the door of China-U.S. relations was opened by the people, and once opened, it cannot be shut again.
In just a few days, a new U.S. administration will officially take office. It is hoped that U.S. policymakers will listen to the genuine voices of the two peoples, who are eager to engage and build friendships, and work alongside China to "build bridges" and "pave roads" for people-to-people exchanges, so as to stabilize, improve, and advance China-U.S. relations.
RedNote surges in popularity in US, sparking people-to-people exchanges: commentary
