Chinese language customers react to US ‘TikTok refugees’

A looming TikTok ban has linked Chinese language and Americans like by no means earlier than, as they swap jokes and memes in what one consumer described as a “historic second”.

It is all unfolding on a well-liked Chinese language social media app known as RedNote, or Xiaohongshu (actually interprets as Little Crimson Ebook), which does not have the same old web firewall that separates China from the remainder of the world.

It has been drawing self-professed US “TikTok refugees” in search of a brand new residence on the web – although their very own authorities is in search of a TikTok ban due to nationwide safety issues.

People now discover themselves in direct contact with 300 million Mandarin audio system in China and elsewhere – whereas in the true world, Beijing is bracing for a tumultuous Trump presidency that would pressure its fragile ties with Washington.

On the coronary heart of the US ban is the concern that China is utilizing TikTok to spy on People.

The app has confronted accusations that consumer knowledge is ending up within the palms of the Chinese language authorities – due to a Beijing legislation that requires native corporations to “assist, help and cooperate with the state intelligence work”. TikTok denies this has ever occurred, or that it could occur.

However the risk would not appear to fret some US customers – 700,000 new customers have signed on to RedNote within the final two days, making it essentially the most downloaded free app within the US App retailer.

“The explanation that our authorities is telling us that they’re banning TikTok is as a result of they’re insisting that it is owned by you guys, the Chinese language individuals, authorities, no matter,” mentioned one new RedNote consumer, Definitelynotchippy.

He goes on to elucidate why he’s on RedNote: “Plenty of us are smarter than that although so we determined to piss off our authorities and obtain an precise Chinese language app. We name that trolling, so in brief we’re right here to spite our authorities and to find out about China and hang around with you guys.”

TikTok, though owned by Chinese language firm ByteDance, is headquartered in Singapore and says it’s run independently. Actually, China’s model of TikTok is one other app known as Douyin. RedNote, then again, is a Chinese language firm based mostly in Shanghai and among the many few social media apps obtainable each in China and outdoors.

So Washington’s fears over TikTok would lengthen to RedNote as effectively.

That is why American customers on RedNote are referring to themselves as “Chinese language spies” – persevering with a TikTok development the place individuals have been bidding farewell to their “private Chinese language spy” who has allegedly been surveilling them through the years.

RedNote is now filled with posts the place ex-TikTok customers are in the hunt for a alternative. One put up says: “I am searching for my Chinese language spy. I miss you. Please assist me discover him.”

And Chinese language customers have answered: “I am right here!”

The sincere, humorous conversations on RedNote might not be what Chinese language President Xi Jinping had in thoughts when he spoke about “strengthening people-to-people cultural exchanges” between China and the US.

However that’s actually what is going on as excited Chinese language customers welcome curious People to the app.

“You do not even must journey overseas, you’ll be able to simply discuss to foreigners right here,” mentioned one Chinese language RedNote consumer in a video that has obtained greater than 6,000 likes.

“But it surely’s actually insane, no-one would have anticipated that we may meet like this in the future, overtly talk like this.”

Meals, streaming exhibits and jobs have been the preferred matters: “Is life in America just like the way it seems to be on [the US TV show] Mates?”

Different Chinese language customers demanded a “tax” for utilizing the platform – cat photographs.

“Cat tax from California,” reads one put up in response. “Here is my providing – the shorthair is a boy named Bob and the calico is a woman named Marley.”

Nonetheless others are utilizing the platform to ask People for assist with their English homework.

One put up reads: “Expensive TikTok refugees, may you please inform me the reply to query 53? Is the reply T (true) or F (false)?”

Assist got here shortly: some 500 individuals have since answered.

The flood of latest American customers seems to have caught RedNote off guard – stories say the corporate is hiring English moderators.

And others are attempting to money in on RedNote’s new-found US stardom as effectively: language-learning app Duolingo put out a graph displaying a 216% leap in its consumer base, in comparison with this time final yr.

RedNote’s rising reputation is just not assured to final although.

There isn’t a purpose to imagine it will not face blowback for a similar causes as TikTok: issues that it might be utilized by China to spy on People.

It is unclear how lengthy Beijing could be open to such unfettered exchanges – management of the web is vital to its repressive regime.

The irony of the scenario was flagged by one Chinese language consumer, who posted: “Do not we now have a (fireplace)wall? How come so many foreigners can enter, when clearly I am unable to go away?”

Sometimes, Chinese language web customers have been unable to instantly work together with foreigners. World platforms like Twitter and Instagram and serps like Google are blocked in China, although individuals use VPNs to avoid these restrictions. Delicate matters – from historical past to dissent – or something seen as crucial of China’s authorities and ruling Communist social gathering is swiftly censored.

It is unclear how a lot RedNote is censored – it is largely utilized by youthful and middle-aged girls in China, the place they share pictures and movies. It isn’t like Weibo, one other Chinese language app, the place discussions and airing of grievances is much extra widespread, resulting in posts typically being taken down.

However a handful of latest RedNote customers say they’ve already obtained stories that their posts have violated pointers, together with one who requested in a put up if the app was “LGBT pleasant”.

One other mentioned they’d requested “What [sic] Chinese language take into consideration homosexual individuals?” and obtained the same notification, that they’d violated “public ethical order” pointers.

And Chinese language customers preserve reminding People on the app “to not point out delicate matters, equivalent to politics, faith and medicines”.

One Chinese language consumer additionally suggested them to stay to the “One China coverage”, the diplomatic pillar of the US-China relationship – in response to which the US recognises and has formal ties with China reasonably than Taiwan, the self-governed island Beijing claims as its personal.

The US authorities has not commented on RedNote up to now, and neither has Beijing.

However Chinese language state media appears upbeat about it, with World Occasions even interviewing a US consumer who mentioned she would “like to work together with Chinese language customers”.

RedNote’s American destiny is anybody’s guess – however for now, no less than on-line, the US-China rivalry is taking a break. Due to cat footage.