The Motivation and Prospects of the TikTok Refugees Flocking to Xiaohongshu Incident--Based on the Perspective of Intercultural Communication Between China and the United States

This study explores the phenomenon of "TikTok refugees" migrating to Xiaohongshu in early 2025, examining its implications within the broader context of Sino-US digital geopolitics and cross-cultural communication. The analysis indicates that the regulatory actions taken by the United States government against TikTok are a strategic measure aimed at maintaining its global dominance in the digital arena. The content production mechanism and political orientation of Xiaohongshu have positioned it as the primary alternative platform in this digital ecosystem restructuring. This migration phenomenon is indicative of two interrelated phenomena. Firstly, it demonstrates user dependency on quality content platforms and the fragility of global digital ecosystems. Secondly, it establishes a new arena for grassroots digital diplomacy. The influx of international users has had a significant impact on the content ecology, thereby prompting discourse on cultural adaptation and the optimization of content governance. This research develops an analytical framework for digital platform migration, offering theoretical insights into user behavior patterns amid techno-political conflicts, the mediating function of social media in cross-cultural communication, and globalization strategies for Chinese digital platforms.