CHINESE internet users on a popular social networking platform have noticed a sudden influx of foreign newcomers who claim to have migrated from TikTok due to the ban of the app by the U.S. government.

On Xiaohongshu, hashtags such as #TikTokRefugee have garnered hundreds of thousands of posts from accounts mostly registered in the United States. The surge in activity has propelled Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote abroad, to the top of the U.S. Apple app store download rankings within just a few days.

TikTok, owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance but operated independently, has approximately 170 million users in the United States.

The app was temporarily unavailable on Sunday, when a law banning it took effect in the country, and was removed from prominent app stores in the United States late Saturday. Some hours later, the app was back, attributing its return to a move by President-elect Donald Trump to save the app.

TikTok welcomed users back with a notification that said: “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”

Early on Sunday, Trump said he would issue an executive order following his inauguration to delay enforcement of the divest-or-ban law. And within hours, access to TikTok’s app and webpage began to return for U.S. users.

Trump had said he was considering a 90-day extension in the ban to give him time to work out a deal to sell the app to a non-Chinese owner. In his post, Trump said he would seek a 50-50 joint venture between TikTok’s existing parent company, China-based ByteDance, and a new, American owner. ByteDance, however, has long been adamant that it has no intention of selling.

While still anxiously waiting for the outcome before the ban took effect, many content creators did not waste time laughing at the proposed ban and the irony it has created.

“They tried to ban TikTok, so everybody now goes to an actual Chinese app,” said a self-claimed “TikTok refugee” on Xiaohongshu.

“TikTok refugees” have been warmly received by Xiaohongshu users, who shared photos and videos with these newcomers, offering food and travel tips, while even providing free language lessons.

“Welcome you to join us in this vibrant and colorful community,” said a Xiaohongshu user who works as an English interpreter in Beijing.

“Let’s start the new journey with Chinese food,” posted another user from Sichuan, introducing Sichuan’s signature food recipes.

As conversations deepened, some Chinese students began seeking help with their English homework — and help they did receive.

A “TikTok refugee” named “Rosie_in_Wonderland” said Xiaohongshu is very similar to TikTok in making content and easy to do, and she hopes to find her community soon like she did on TikTok.

“You are not refugees. You all are explorers. Welcome to the new world,” said another Xiaohongshu user who lives in China.

Xiaohongshu has rolled out a new translation feature in its latest update, enabling users to translate posts and comments into multiple languages, including English, German, and Russian. The feature is even capable of translating internet slang, aiming to facilitate seamless cross-cultural communication. Users can simply click the “Translate” button next to posts or comments to view translations.

(Xinhua, SD-Agencies)