(Also read: US users seek refuge on ‘alternative TikTok’ amid ban rumours: ‘Looking for my Chinese spy’)

Chinese users react to ‘TikTok refugees’

The influx of American users has sparked mixed reactions on Xiaohongshu, with many Chinese users taking jab at the new arrivals. They have coined the term “TikTok refugees” to describe Americans seeking alternatives to the embattled app.

One user commented, “Welcome to our world. Hope you adapt!”

Another joked, “Americans running from a ban to embrace another Chinese app? The irony writes itself.”

A third user said, “Looks like the US can’t quit us after all.”

Others offered light-hearted advice: “Remember, this is our territory—play nice!”

The TikTok ban explained

The US government last April enacted a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, to sell its American operations by 19 January this year or face a nationwide ban. Lawmakers, citing national security concerns, argued that ByteDance is influenced by the Chinese government, raising fears about potential misuse of Americans’ data and the spread of covert disinformation.

Despite interest from several US investors, ByteDance has refused to sell. The US Supreme Court recently indicated it might uphold the law, making a ban almost inevitable by the end of this week.

(Also read: TikTok being sold to Elon Musk? MrBeast joins the bid: ‘Okay, fine, I’ll buy it’)

Seeking alternatives amid uncertainty

With 170 million TikTok users in the US facing the app’s imminent removal, Xiaohongshu has emerged as a surprising favourite. Observers have noted the irony of Americans gravitating toward a culturally Chinese platform. “It’s definitely funny that American teenagers are protesting the TikTok ban by using an even more Chinese app,” Ryan Broderick, a commentator on internet culture, told Al Jazeera.