BEIJING, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Chinese and American users engaged in open discussions on the RedNote platform this week, touching on economic concerns, skepticism towards Marxism, and fears of potential conflict, pushing the boundaries of censorship on Chinese social media.
The app, popularly known as Xiaohongshu in China or Little Red Book, has experienced a surge in U.S. users amid heightened geopolitical tensions between the two global powers.
The momentum this week was fueled by a report from a US publication followed by 170 million Americans, focusing on national security worries.
The wave of American users dubbed "TikTok refugees" presented China with a propaganda advantage seized upon by state media. China's Foreign Ministry endorsed people-to-people exchanges, while People's Daily mentioned that American social media transplants had found a "new home."
According to Rose Luqiu, a journalism professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, a prevailing narrative in China suggests that American users on Xiaohongshu are breaking out of their echo chambers.
Several popular chat threads on Xiaohongshu recently broached typically taboo topics in China.
"I feel lost. Searching for life's meaning. Dislike my job but need the paycheck," expressed one Chinese user.
Addressing concerns about the future, another Chinese user hinted at worries over a possible conflict regarding Taiwan: "Probably can't discuss it here, but many of us fear a potential war."
Experts speculate on how long this limited freedom of expression can continue. Insiders report that the platform is rushed to reinforce its controls.
RedNote, a 12-year-old tech company eyed for IPO, has remained silent on the surge of American users.
Recent posts have covered a wide range of topics, from frivolous to sincere discussions on mental health, gender, sexuality, and China's economic struggles – usually heavily censored on Chinese platforms like Weibo.
China employs the "Great Firewall" system to regulate online content, censoring posts against national interests. Foreign platforms like Instagram and X are blocked, fostering the growth of local equivalents.
One English post on Xiaohongshu asking about mental health issues garnered over 4,000 comments before being removed.
"Many graduates fear unemployment or face workplace oppression...suicides are common in my high school," shared a user's concern.
Expert Rush Doshi mentioned RedNote as a conduit to directly engage PRC citizens, posing a challenge to Beijing.
Despite some openness, U.S. users have lamented restricted access to certain content and faced account limitations for discussing sensitive topics like LGBT rights.
"Americans struggle with the opaque censorship under the Great Firewall," noted former WeChat commentator Lao Zhou Heng Mei, describing this as an initial phase for American users.
Chinese users acknowledge the fleeting nature of these candid dialogues.
"If unforeseen circumstances cut our ties, let's remember our bond and trust," shared a widely circulated bilingual post on the app.