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Breaking Barriers on Xiaohongshu: A New Era of Cross-Cultural Connection


Shelly Bryant talks about TikTok refugees entering the Xiaohongshu space

In today’s digital world, social media platforms are more than just spaces for sharing photos and videos – they’re hubs for connection, dialogue, and learning. Recently, a fascinating trend has emerged: creators from the US, many leaving TikTok, are finding a new home on Xiaohongshu (literally, Little Red Book, but often called Red Note in the US).


What’s remarkable isn’t just the migration itself – it’s the warmth and curiosity it’s fostering between cultures.


A New Kind of Connection


Xiaohongshu, often described as a hybrid of Instagram and Pinterest, has grown rapidly in China and is now gaining traction internationally. Recently, The Straits Times reported on a wave of “TikTok refugees” moving to Xiaohongshu. What is most striking about this shift is how openly these new users were welcomed by the platform’s existing community.


American users, many of whom had preconceived notions about China, found themselves discovering its culture in ways they hadn’t expected. Meanwhile, Chinese users extended warm greetings and expressed excitement about sharing their space with international newcomers.


What Makes This Special?


This exchange represents something powerful: the ability to break down barriers, not through grand political gestures, but through person-to-person interactions.


  • Americans discovered that Chinese people are not so different from themselves – curious, friendly, and eager to connect.

  • Chinese users showed their openness and enthusiasm, reminding us that hospitality and kindness can transcend borders.


Unlike the usual narratives of rivalry or competition, this story is one of mutual respect and shared curiosity.


What Does This Mean for Us?


Platforms like Xiaohongshu have the potential to do something extraordinary:


  • Foster understanding: By enabling users to share personal stories, experiences, and daily life, they offer a glimpse into cultures beyond our own.

  • Break stereotypes: The more we interact with people from other backgrounds, the more we realize how much we share in common.

  • Create opportunities: Whether for business, collaboration, or personal growth, these interactions open doors to global connections.


Xiaohongshu is Just the Platform


What's important to keep in mind about this whole stil--unfolding drama is that Xiaohongshu is not the real news here. It's just the platform. The real news is the decisions made by ordinary people. On the US side, we have ordinary citizens making a conscious choice not to move to another US-based platform, but intentionally adopting a Chinese platform as their new online home, with the specific intent of making a statement against their government's stand. On the Chinese side, we have ordinary citizens choosing not to resent the influx of foreign voices, but to welcome them with open arms.


In both cases, the choice was made to reject the sort of insularity that shapes so much of contemporary discourse. We at TL Global Insights are inspired by the story of mutual exchange. We hope this shining example of relating across cultural contexts will lead to more people choosing to do the same not only on Xiaohongshu and other online platforms, but in every space and every instance where the opportunities arise. Reach out to someone different from you. Engage. Connect. Relate.

At the end of the day, as wonderful as the Xiaohong story is, it isn't Xiaohongshu that's the star. It's the people who have chosen to share their stories – to engage, to connect, and to relate. Xiaohongshu is just the digital platform that facilitated the very human exchange.



What’s Next for Xiaohongshu?


As more people from diverse cultures join Xiaohongshu, the platform has the chance to become a global hub for meaningful dialogue. But it also raises questions:


  • "What has your experience with Xiaohongshu been like?"

  • "How do you think platforms like this can shape the future of cross-cultural exchange?"

  • How will the platform maintain its sense of intimacy and authenticity as it grows?

  • Can it balance its original identity with the influx of new perspectives?


Let’s Continue the Conversation


Social media can often divide us, but stories like this remind us of its potential to unite.


📽️ Check out the video above for more thoughts on this fascinating trend, and let us know:


  • Have you used Xiaohongshu?

  • What do you think about its potential as a platform for cross-cultural connection?


Let’s keep breaking barriers – one story at a time.


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Hi,
I'm Shelly

I head up the team at

TL Global Insights, where we specialize in Cultural Intelligence, global leadership, and strategic publishing solutions. With a background in literary translation and cross-cultural training, I’m passionate about helping professionals and teams succeed across borders.

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