IA “FACT” already wrote that TikTok has found itself at the center of a conflict between the US and China due to pressure on the Chinese company ByteDance: to sell the platform or face a ban in the US. This move caused controversy in political and economic circles. President-elect Trump asked the Supreme Court to delay the decision so that after taking office he could find a political solution to the situation related to the claims of threats to national security.
China is currently worried reacts on the growing number of American users on the RedNote platform, who are massively registering in the application in search of an alternative to TikTok. On Wednesday, Chinese users greeted the newcomers with selfies and messages, answering questions about culture, food and politics.
RedNote has grown in popularity since TikTok was threatened to be banned in the US due to security concerns, prompting more than 700,000 new users to join the platform. At the same time, some Chinese bloggers and nationalists criticize this influx, warning against the influence of Western culture.
RedNote allows registration with foreign numbers and is one of the few Chinese platforms open to foreigners without restrictions on the version of the application. However, some new users encounter censorship when testing the boundaries of what content is allowed on sensitive topics.
Experts believe that the hype may be temporary, as the platform is not ready to integrate a large number of foreign users. Some newcomers are already expressing dissatisfaction with the imperfection of functions, including translation.
Why TikTok users switch to RedNote
Many Chinese platforms are closed to foreigners due to censorship, but RedNote proved to be an open and user-friendly alternative, allowing it to become a bridge between Chinese and American cultures. One of the reasons for the popularity of RedNote was the possibility of registering on the platform using a foreign phone number, which simplifies access for new users. Unlike other Chinese services, RedNote has a single version of the application for everyone, regardless of the country of residence, which removes barriers and creates a sense of community.
For Americans, RedNote has become not only an alternative to TikTok, but also a platform for getting to know Chinese culture. She specializes in content about lifestyle, travel, fashion and cooking, which is interesting to a young audience. Users can exchange questions about food, tourist spots and social topics during live chats. Americans learn about Chinese traditions, and Chinese learn about Western trends.
Experts believe that RedNote’s popularity among Americans may be temporary. Many people use the platform because of the problems with TikTok. However, this wave of interest has created a unique case for cultural dialogue between the US and China.
If RedNote can solve technical problems and find a balance between content moderation and openness to international users, it can become an important platform for global communication. For now, the platform shows that even in a controlled information environment, China can be open to new forms of cultural exchange.
The reaction of the authorities and users of the Celestial Empire, content censorship and moderation
Chinese users warmly welcome newcomers, helping them navigate the platform. This increased interest in RedNote and expanded its international audience. However, there are problems. Some Chinese users and nationalists are concerned about the influence of Western culture on the platform, seeing it as a threat to national interests. For example, the popular blogger “Chairman Rabbit” warns about possible propaganda of Western values.
Also, RedNote was not ready for the sudden influx of English-speaking users. New users face difficulties due to translation limitations and an interface not yet adapted to an international audience. Some also try to test the limits of what is allowed by publishing topics sensitive to the Chinese government, including the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, the massive pro-democracy and reform protests that were brutally suppressed by the Communist Party with tanks and the army, killing hundreds or thousands of people.
On the one hand, China strives for global integration by attracting foreign investment and cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative and creating business conditions in Hainan. At the same time, the country strictly controls the information space, blocking international platforms to protect its ideological independence.
It is worth mentioning the mixed attitude of ordinary Chinese towards foreigners: in small towns they are met with admiration, and in business they see an opportunity for cooperation. However, there are concerns about the impact on traditional values, especially due to strict government control over information. Chinese society tries to find a balance between being open to new things and preserving its identity.
Chinese internet platforms are known for strict content moderation. This is not only protection against harmful content, but also a way to control public sentiment, ideology and information space. As a result, global communication passes through state censorship.
Taboo topics are those that could undermine government control or cause social unrest. This includes criticism of the government, the Tiananmen Square events of 1989 and Tibetan independence. Even neutral words can be blocked if used in a political context. For example, the phrases “my emperor” and “lifelong control” were banned after constitutional changes that allowed Xi Jinping to remain in power indefinitely.
But users find ways to bypass censorship. The Chinese internet community is resourceful in creating euphemisms and metaphors to discuss taboo topics. Thus, the river crab became a symbol of censorship due to the similarity of its name with the slogan “harmonious society”. Such tricks allow users to avoid blocking and conduct discussions even under strict conditions of moderation.
The situation with English-language content in China is even more complicated. Platforms adapt it to local norms, so political criticism, calls for protests or sensitive historical topics will be removed or blocked. This causes different opinions: some consider it a protection of national interests, while others consider it an oppression of freedom of speech. Censorship in China is so widespread that users are used to the restrictions and work within them. This creates an atmosphere where society tries to balance between strict rules and the desire for open communication.
Technical challenges due to the influx of foreigners
On the one hand, the arrival of foreigners on Chinese platforms opens new opportunities for globalization, but at the same time it reveals many difficulties that these platforms are not yet ready to overcome: translation problems, limited functionality, cultural differences and technical barriers.
Translations are often inaccurate, sometimes funny or unclear, which reduces trust in the platform. Mistakes in translation can cause offense or misunderstanding. Platform functionality is limited. Most services are designed for the domestic audience and do not take into account the needs of foreigners. Interfaces often only support Chinese, and key functions such as payment or registration may require a Chinese phone number or local payment systems. This makes it difficult for foreign users to use the platforms.
Cultural differences create additional difficulties. Content that seems normal in China may be strange or objectionable to foreigners. Algorithms of platforms tuned to a local audience often do not take into account the needs of newcomers, promoting content that is not interesting to them. This creates the impression of closedness and unwillingness to understand foreign audiences.
Technical and administrative obstacles are added. Many platforms follow local rules, making it difficult for foreigners to use the services. A Chinese license plate or documents are required, and strict censorship controls make it difficult to access information.
Experience with other platforms temporarily popular among Chinese users
Chinese platforms like RedNote and Western services like Clubhouse have different approaches to global integration. The latter gained popularity in China thanks to freedom of speech, but was quickly blocked for discussing taboo topics regarding human rights and the events of Tiananmen Square. It is now only accessible via VPN, which has reduced the number of users.
At the same time, RedNote is trying to attract foreigners, but it faces other challenges. Limited language support, unavailability of features for those without a Chinese phone number or access to local payment systems, and strict content censorship create challenges for foreigners. The lack of freedom of speech, which was a key problem for Clubhouse in China, is becoming an even bigger obstacle for RedNote in the global market.
The difference between these examples lies in the approaches to the audience. Clubhouse did not adapt to Chinese realities, but became popular because of the opportunity to communicate openly. RedNote tries to integrate into the world without abandoning local rules, but these limitations make the platform less interesting for international users.
These cases show how important it is for social networks to adapt to cultural and technical realities. Clubhouse proved that there was a demand for open exchange of ideas in China, but regulations quickly killed such efforts. For its part, RedNote illustrates that in order to successfully enter the global market, it is necessary not only to follow its own rules, but also to understand the needs of a foreign audience. Otherwise, Chinese platforms will remain local products that will not be able to compete on the world stage.
Tetyana Viktorova
