American users of the viral social media platform “TikTok” have been on the edge of their seats as a result of a potential nationwide ban of the app across the United States.

A Chinese-owned app, the Supreme Court has expressed a general discomfort toward the spread of data and the potential breach of security at the hands of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance.

With the incoming threat to the app’s presence looming over Americans’ heads, TikTok users have expressed that the factor that sets TikTok apart from other platforms is its unique and irreplicable community.

With this community in mind, users have banded together to ask one question as the ban threats settle in: where to next?

This is where Xiaohongshu, translated as RedNote, appears on the horizon. Another Chinese operated app, RedNote is essentially TikTok’s sister app, featuring a similar algorithm and in-app layout; the perfect place to start anew.

Deeming themselves “TikTok refugees”, newly minted American RedNote users have infiltrated comment sections and have set off on their attempt to rebuild on a brand new platform.

The major setback, however, is that RedNote is an app entirely based in and catered toward its Chinese audience, meaning that hardly any of the app offers English translation.

Regardless of the language barrier, TikTok users subjected to the impending ban have flocked to RedNote and created quite the interesting concoction.

With the drastic difference in culture, it seems safe to assume that the app’s users would be divided. But results have shown the opposite.

Americans have been welcomed with open arms to the app. Established Chinese creators on the app have posted various videos sympathizing with American users and offering basic Chinese language knowledge for an improved experience on the app.

And Americans have offered the same in return. Comment sections on the app are filled with the exchange of knowledge and helping hands between individuals with completely different backgrounds.

Commenters have surpassed the issue of the language barrier by communicating through RedNote’s photo commenting feature, allowing for both nation’s users to converse without the use of words.

With this integration of culture, Chinese and American people have a new outlet to explore each other’s traditions, experiences, and overall livelihoods in an unexpected twist of fate.

One Chinese RedNote user who goes by the English alias “Daniel” posted his own video for the new American audience. In it, Daniel said, “Hey TikTok refugees! I’m so overwhelmed by you guys today. This is so cool and crazy. I’m Chinese, you can ask me anything about China.”

From helping with language homework to exchanging photos of beloved pets, Americans and Chinese people have expressed their gratitude for how accessible RedNote has made it to bridge the gap between two countries that have otherwise been pitted against each other.

Though the absence of TikTok is one that will be felt by many long-time users, its controversy within the government has opened the door for a brand new understanding for Americans and Chinese people alike.