The Motivation and Prospects of the “TikTok Refugees” Flocking to Xiaohongshu Incident--Based on the Perspective of Intercultural Communication Between China and the United States

Research Article
Open access

The Motivation and Prospects of the “TikTok Refugees” Flocking to Xiaohongshu Incident--Based on the Perspective of Intercultural Communication Between China and the United States

Yinjie Cheng 1*
  • 1 Foreign Language Institute of Economics and Trade, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan, China    
  • *corresponding author 2254749182@qq.com
LNEP Vol.90
ISSN (Print): 2753-7056
ISSN (Online): 2753-7048
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-085-6
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-086-3

Abstract

This study explores the phenomenon of "TikTok refugees" migrating to Xiaohongshu in early 2025, examining its implications within the broader context of Sino-US digital geopolitics and cross-cultural communication. The analysis indicates that the regulatory actions taken by the United States government against TikTok are a strategic measure aimed at maintaining its global dominance in the digital arena. The content production mechanism and political orientation of Xiaohongshu have positioned it as the primary alternative platform in this digital ecosystem restructuring. This migration phenomenon is indicative of two interrelated phenomena. Firstly, it demonstrates user dependency on quality content platforms and the fragility of global digital ecosystems. Secondly, it establishes a new arena for grassroots digital diplomacy. The influx of international users has had a significant impact on the content ecology, thereby prompting discourse on cultural adaptation and the optimization of content governance. This research develops an analytical framework for digital platform migration, offering theoretical insights into user behavior patterns amid techno-political conflicts, the mediating function of social media in cross-cultural communication, and globalization strategies for Chinese digital platforms.

Keywords:

TikTok refugees, Cross-cultural communication, Civilian diplomacy

Cheng,Y. (2025). The Motivation and Prospects of the “TikTok Refugees” Flocking to Xiaohongshu Incident--Based on the Perspective of Intercultural Communication Between China and the United States. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,90,74-83.
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References

[1]. Shen Guilong (2024, December). The Characteristics and Prospects of China-U.S. Humanities Exchanges under the Hundred Years of Change. Contemporary World

[2]. Li Kunze,Zhang Yitong (2024). U.S. TikTok Policy: Threat Perception, Suppression Practice and Effect Constraints. International Relations Studies, 4, 22-40+155.

[3]. Dong Jingran (2025, January 13). Unilateral Economic Sanctions on U.S. Data Security and Its Response Strategy. Hebei Law

[4]. Hu Pan (2023, May 29). Research on U.S. Science and Technology Strategy towards China in the 'Strategic Competition Period'. Foreign Affairs College

[5]. Hao Wenjia (2023, June 2). Sino-US S&T Competition and US S&T Diplomacy with China. Foreign Affairs College

[6]. LIU Liqing, XIAO Haochuan, WANG Cande (2025, March 14). The Cultural Expansion of Digital Imperialism and China's Response. Journal of Hefei University of Technology

[7]. Du Hengfeng (2025, January 17). Behind the Explosion of Xiaohongshu: 'Banning without Selling' Cannot Ban the Goodwill of Folk. Daily Economic News

[8]. Jingze Ma (2025, January 20). "TikTok Refugees" Influxing into Xiaohongshu, Chinese and American E-Commerce Supply Chains Cutting Into Each Other. Modern Logistics News

[9]. Jia Linlin and Xia Deyuan (2025, February 14). The Charm of the Everyday: The Opportunities and Challenges of Intercultural Communication from the Little Red Book Reconciliation. News Enthusiasts

[10]. Wang Qiuyi (2025, January). Good Governance of Great Powers: Theoretical Changes, Historical Evolution and Dilemmas of Civilian Diplomacy.

[11]. Li Meng, Liu Xin (2024, December 18). Wang Yi Summarizes Five Highlights of China's Diplomacy This Year. Global Times

[12]. Dai Yuanchu (2025, January 30). The Driving Force and Direction of Mainstream Media's Systemic Change from the Splashy Traffic of Little Red Book. Audiovisual

[13]. Shen Yibin (2025, January 17). Can the 'closed-loop selling' Xiaohongshu catch this wave of overseas 'sky-high wealth'? IT Times.

[14]. Yuan Rui Bai Xinyu (2024, November 24). Civilian Exchanges Are an Important Foundation for the Future Healthy Development of China-US Relations. Xinhua Daily Telegraph

[15]. “Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden Meet in Bali,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China website, July 6, 2023

[16]. Wang Lili Zheng Boling (2023, December). China's Digital Public Diplomacy with the U.S.: Dilemmas and Challenges. Theory Platform

Cite this article

Cheng,Y. (2025). The Motivation and Prospects of the “TikTok Refugees” Flocking to Xiaohongshu Incident--Based on the Perspective of Intercultural Communication Between China and the United States. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,90,74-83.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Global Politics and Socio-Humanities

ISBN：978-1-80590-085-6(Print) / 978-1-80590-086-3(Online)
Editor：Enrique Mallen
Conference website: https://2025.icgpsh.org/
Conference date: 25 July 2025
Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media
Volume number: Vol.90
ISSN：2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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References

[1]. Shen Guilong (2024, December). The Characteristics and Prospects of China-U.S. Humanities Exchanges under the Hundred Years of Change. Contemporary World

[2]. Li Kunze,Zhang Yitong (2024). U.S. TikTok Policy: Threat Perception, Suppression Practice and Effect Constraints. International Relations Studies, 4, 22-40+155.

[3]. Dong Jingran (2025, January 13). Unilateral Economic Sanctions on U.S. Data Security and Its Response Strategy. Hebei Law

[4]. Hu Pan (2023, May 29). Research on U.S. Science and Technology Strategy towards China in the 'Strategic Competition Period'. Foreign Affairs College

[5]. Hao Wenjia (2023, June 2). Sino-US S&T Competition and US S&T Diplomacy with China. Foreign Affairs College

[6]. LIU Liqing, XIAO Haochuan, WANG Cande (2025, March 14). The Cultural Expansion of Digital Imperialism and China's Response. Journal of Hefei University of Technology

[7]. Du Hengfeng (2025, January 17). Behind the Explosion of Xiaohongshu: 'Banning without Selling' Cannot Ban the Goodwill of Folk. Daily Economic News

[8]. Jingze Ma (2025, January 20). "TikTok Refugees" Influxing into Xiaohongshu, Chinese and American E-Commerce Supply Chains Cutting Into Each Other. Modern Logistics News

[9]. Jia Linlin and Xia Deyuan (2025, February 14). The Charm of the Everyday: The Opportunities and Challenges of Intercultural Communication from the Little Red Book Reconciliation. News Enthusiasts

[10]. Wang Qiuyi (2025, January). Good Governance of Great Powers: Theoretical Changes, Historical Evolution and Dilemmas of Civilian Diplomacy.

[11]. Li Meng, Liu Xin (2024, December 18). Wang Yi Summarizes Five Highlights of China's Diplomacy This Year. Global Times

[12]. Dai Yuanchu (2025, January 30). The Driving Force and Direction of Mainstream Media's Systemic Change from the Splashy Traffic of Little Red Book. Audiovisual

[13]. Shen Yibin (2025, January 17). Can the 'closed-loop selling' Xiaohongshu catch this wave of overseas 'sky-high wealth'? IT Times.

[14]. Yuan Rui Bai Xinyu (2024, November 24). Civilian Exchanges Are an Important Foundation for the Future Healthy Development of China-US Relations. Xinhua Daily Telegraph

[15]. “Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden Meet in Bali,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China website, July 6, 2023

[16]. Wang Lili Zheng Boling (2023, December). China's Digital Public Diplomacy with the U.S.: Dilemmas and Challenges. Theory Platform

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