TOPIC

RedNote

(小红书)

RedNote

小红书

RedNote is a Chinese social media platform that has grown in popularity worldwide. Also known as Xiaohongshu, which means "little red book", it was launched in 2013 and is based in Shanghai.

last updated:

15 January, 2025

Rumours of a romance between a man in the United States and Chinese actress Song Zuer have been denied after the former posted photos of them together on RedNote. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

Trending in China

US man shares photos with China actress on RedNote, sparks romance speculation

Denials flow after rumours of romantic affair flood mainland social media following posting of pictures showing actress during study trip abroad.

23 Jan 2025 - 6:06PM

Trending in China

TikTok ‘refugees’ impress by cooking ‘new world-famous ’ Chinese steamed eggs

23 Jan 2025 - 2:44PM

US-China relations

Opinion | US and China should follow lead of their youth bonding on RedNote

23 Jan 2025 - 5:52AMvideocam

Trending in China

China netizens help US RedNote user find long-lost Chinese classmate in 22 hours

Online observers of ‘miraculous’ reunion hint at romantic link-up between pair but US woman insists relationship is purely platonic.

22 Jan 2025 - 6:00PM

Netizens in China have helped a RedNote user in the US reconnect with a long-lost Chinese classmate in just 22 hours. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

US-China relations

Letters | For ‘TikTok refugees’ on RedNote, kindness should be the watchword

Readers discuss social media etiquette, Hong Kong think tanks, abuse of public housing, and a show of Hong Kong professionalism.

22 Jan 2025 - 11:30AM

Social media

Opinion | RedNote migration in US a victory for cross-cultural exchange

The unexpected and spontaneous grass-roots response demonstrates the untapped potential for people-to-people diplomacy in our digital age.

22 Jan 2025 - 8:30AMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

China’s RedNote netizens warned about sharing street views with US TikTok users

Users told that American requests for images of sensitive areas should be ignored over national security concerns.

20 Jan 2025 - 6:20PMvideocam

TikTok

TikTok is back online

Trump said he would issue an executive order, protecting companies from any liability if they host or distribute TikTok

20 Jan 2025 - 11:45AM

Trending in China

Taiwan celebrity son rejects ‘refugee’ label for RedNote converts, urges respect

Arts graduate from US university says migrating social media users should not see China app as simple ‘haven’ or ‘avenue for protest’.

18 Jan 2025 - 2:00PM

TikTok

Why US TikTok ‘refugees’ are flocking to China’s RedNote app

Rare cultural exchange between American and Chinese people is happening in the social media app, despite the language barrier

17 Jan 2025 - 11:24PM

11:02

Trending in China

‘This is me’: China RedNote users ape Eddie Peng to welcome TikTok refugees

As people flood from soon-to-be-banned social media platform to Shanghai-based app, China users engage with ‘stolen’ identity of actor.

17 Jan 2025 - 6:00PM

Amid a mass migration by overseas internet users to the Chinese social media app RedNote, many mainland people are using a photograph of a famous Taiwan actor in the biographies. Photo: SCMP composite/Reuters/Xiaohongshu

US-China relations

US ‘TikTok refugees’ spark global rush of sign-ups to China’s RedNote platform

The Shanghai-based app is topping the charts as the No 1 free-to-use platform in more countries, from Britain and Italy to Canada.

18 Jan 2025 - 12:07AMvideocam

TikTok

Douyin cracks down on fake foreign accounts amid wave of ‘TikTok refugees’

Some mainland Chinese users have reposted videos, pretending to be foreign users to gain more followers, according to Douyin.

17 Jan 2025 - 11:47AM

China’s Communist Party

RedNote’s influx of ‘TikTok refugees’ could be a double-edged sword for Beijing

The authorities will be hoping new users of the app will get a favourable impression of China – but may be unnerved by some of their posts.

16 Jan 2025 - 9:36PMvideocam

The possible US TikTok ban has prompted an exodus of new users to the Chinese app RedNote. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Letters | TikTok ‘refugees’ are meeting the Chinese internet. Sparks may fly

Readers discuss the influx of foreign users on China’s RedNote, tech-military ties, selfish smokers, and a former Hong Kong chief executive’s office.

16 Jan 2025 - 11:30AM

A screen shows the app RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, at the company headquarters in Shanghai on January 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

Social media

How to set up an account on RedNote, a TikTok alternative: 9 steps

RedNote is attracting users of another Chinese short video app, TikTok, in the US who fear a ban. See our 9-step guide to opening an account.

21 Jan 2025 - 2:56PM

US-China relations

China dodges RedNote censorship issue as US TikTokkers migrate

Foreign ministry says it encourages and supports people-to-people exchanges.

16 Jan 2025 - 9:13AMvideocam

Trending in China

‘If you like Chinese, we kiss kiss’: China netizens welcome ‘TikTok refugees’

Expected US TikTok ban sparks influx of US users to Chinese social media platform, ushers in humorous cross-cultural linguistic exchanges.

15 Jan 2025 - 8:46PM

Migrating foreign users to the Chinese social media platform RedNote ahead of an expected US ban on TikTok have been warmly welcomed by their counterparts in China. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

US-China relations

Trending off TikTok? US users going to RedNote face challenges, analysts say

Different content regulations and lack of English support could mean short-lived American-fuelled growth for suddenly popular alternative platform.

16 Jan 2025 - 2:23AMvideocam

US-China relations

Why TikTok verdict will be a crystal ball for US-China ties under Trump 2.0

Both Beijing and Chinese firms seeking US business will be following the TikTok case for signals on what the future holds, analysts say.

15 Jan 2025 - 2:24PMvideocam

Social media

China’s Instagram-like Xiaohongshu closer to IPO as profits surge, sources say

With popularity booming in recent years and recent profitability, the company has selected underwriters for a planned public listing.

15 Dec 2024 - 12:08PM

With profits rising in 2024, Xiaohongshu is moving closer to an IPO in Hong Kong. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Malaysia

‘I trust it more’: Chinese app Xiaohongshu offers unexpected window on Malaysia

With over 2.5 million users in Malaysia, Xiaohongshu not only attracts tourists but helps Malaysian Chinese connect with their heritage.

8 Dec 2024 - 8:22AM

Tourists walk past a mural featuring the Malaysian national flag in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

E-commerce

China’s Xiaohongshu is carving out a niche in crowded e-commerce market

The Instagram-style platform, where people share lifestyle tips, has become a strong force in Chinese e-commerce.

28 Jul 2024 - 7:00AMvideocam

Trending in China

Chinese youth unite to help older strangers in way they would treat own parents

Young people in China have started a social media networking scheme to help older strangers across the nation who live a long way from their own children and need assistance.

11 Jul 2024 - 9:19AM

E-commerce

Alibaba, Xiaohongshu boost sales in midyear shopping festival

Alibaba’s midyear shopping promotion has it going head-to-head with younger e-commerce competitors such as Xiaohongshu, China’s answer to Instagram.

15 Jun 2024 - 8:00AM

Alibaba has reported “encouraging” sales during the ongoing 618 shopping festival. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Hong Kong society

Xiaohongshu’s impact on travel: how the app is reshaping Hong Kong tourism

Chinese social media platform is blazing a trail for mandarin-speaking visitors to find hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path ideas.

24 Jun 2024 - 3:40PMvideocam

Tourists flock to the Yau Ma Tei Police Station heritage site for a shot of the iconic building facade where many television shows were filmed. Photo: Eugene Lee

ByteDance

TikTok owner ByteDance to introduce new Instagram-like social media app in China

The new ByteDance app called ‘Kesong’ is expected to compete against popular Chinese social e-commerce service Xiaohongshu.

11 Jul 2022 - 10:41PM

NFTs

China’s Instagram, Xiaohongshu, tests Web3 waters by backing US start-up

Xiaohongshu has invested in a US$1.2 million pre-seed fundraising round of Shil.me, which plans to build a platform ‘where people can display, share, transact and manage’ NFTs and other Web3 products.

9 Jun 2022 - 5:00PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW