Screenshots of several Chinese or American netizens posting "missing person posts" on RedNote

Editor's Note:  

Chinese President Xi Jinping often quotes an ancient saying on many diplomatic occasions: "No mountain or ocean can separate those who share the same aspirations." 

This MK sports Koreapowerful message underscores the undeniable force of friendship and cooperation in bridging hearts across nations, cultures, and civilizations. Inspired by President Xi's vision, people-to-people exchanges between China and the world have been flourishing. 

The Global Times presents "Intertwined Destinies, Shared Paths," a series spotlighting the touching stories written by these "friendship ambassadors." 

They are scholars pushing the boundaries of research, diplomats advocating for deeper cooperation on the global stage, artists igniting imaginations with their creations, and ordinary people extending heartfelt love beyond national borders driven by genuine sincerity.

The Global Times is publishing the second of two consecutive pieces featuring heartwarming stories of mutual assistance and love between the people of China and the US, showcasing the friendship, care, and affection that exists among the people. This is the second installment.

Chinese international student Simon never expected that his English name would become widely known among Chinese and American netizens within just a few days.  During the past weekend, "an American girl finds her Chinese classmate in less than 24 hours," this hashtag has become a trending topic on various Chinese social media platforms, captivating millions of netizens who witnessed this heartwarming friend-finding journey.

The 21-year-old Katharina Scholze created an account on the popular Chinese lifestyle and sharing platform RedNote and posted a heartfelt video seeking out her long-lost Chinese friend "Simon." Her plea quickly garnering over 20,000 likes and thousands of comments. Within just 24 hours, thanks to the relentless efforts of Chinese netizens, she successfully located her long-lost friend.

This eye-catching reunion is emblematic of a growing trend on Chinese social media, where an increasing number of overseas users - often humorously dubbed "TikTok refugees" - are actively engaging with Chinese netizens, bringing constant happy laughters and cheerful voices. This surge in cross-cultural interactions comes at a time when TikTok's future in the US hangs in the balance. The app faced a temporary blackout late Saturday due to a law banning its use. After hours of shutdown, the app began restoring on Sunday US time. US President Donald Trump, on Monday, signed an executive order to delay the TikTok ban by 75 days. 

We cannot predict the fate of TikTok for now, but we can see through countless reunions like that of Simon and Katharina on Chinese social media platforms, how the power of sincere exchange between the people of China and the US transcends borders, dissolving inherent prejudices and gradually forging connections that can withstand the test of distance and time.

'Reconnection across space and time'

Simon described his renewed bond with Katharina as a "reconnection across space and time."

Speaking to the Global Times, Simon, a junior at the Rhode Island School of Design, recalled that he was an exchange student at Regina High School in Iowa between 2017 and 2018. At that time Simon struggled with the language and had few familiar classmates. Fortunately, he met Katharina. 

"We took art, history, and computer classes together. Whenever I didn't understand something, I would ask her, and she was always patient in answering," Simon said. 

"We would talk to each other in class and text outside of school... It was a very pure friendship that I will cherish deeply forever," Katharina recalled.

The year went by quickly. After he returned to China in 2018, the two gradually lost contact due to limited avenues of communication.

Seven years later, the turning point came when Katharina, like many Americans, downloaded RedNote. Simon mentioned that a high school classmate sent him Katharina's post, which featured a low-pixel photo of a man his classmates thought resembled him. Initially skeptical, Simon soon recognized the authenticity of the post after reading it closely. "I remembered her name, and the details matched perfectly. In fact, she hadn't changed much at all; I recognized her immediately," he said.

After reaching out via direct message, the two quickly initiated a video call. "I think we have both matured since then, but our personalities and kindness are still the same. We will continue to be friends for a long time now that we can contact each other whenever!" Katharina said excitedly.

The phrase "incredible" is one that both Simon and Katharina mentioned to the Global Times. 

Katharina said when she originally posted the video, she didn't think anyone would really see the video.

The American girl also noted that one comment that left a strong impression on her read, "If anyone could find my friend, it would be Chinese netizens." "That really struck me because I was so impressed by their efficiency," she said. 

"Chinese social apps and the vibrant online communities they foster have broken down language and geographical barriers, even allowing people to find a sense of belonging in the digital age," Simon told the Global Times.

"After posting the video, I felt overwhelmed with joy from all the positive comments and was excited to meet so many new people," Katharina told the Global Times. "I have never felt so much love."  

'Innocent heart of human communication' 

Countless touching moments can be seen in  posts on RedNote and Douyin that carry tags like "missing person notice" and "please help."

Li Xiangcan, for example, a retired Chinese scholar in his 80s, recently shared his experience of meeting US peers in person for the first time since the late 1980s on RedNote, with the help of his family. In his post, Li recalled how he learned English by looking up words in a dictionary under relatively modest study conditions during his youth, and how he participated in translating a professional book titled Blast Vibration Monitoring and Control. 

Later, the original author of the book, American scholar Charles Dowding, visited the laboratory where Li worked in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, and they had a face-to-face conversation. 

Within a day, many enthusiastic Chinese and US netizens helped reach out to Dowding. "Happy to reconnect with my many happy memories of our trip through China," Dowding wrote in an email in response to one of the netizens. Many excitied netizens expected that the two scholars may reunite in Wuhan in the future, and chat easily about academics and everyday life, just like old friends who haven't seen each other in years.

A Chinese netizen with the username "Travel enthusiast" shared on RedNote that she still keeps a one-dollar bill from 32 years ago, along with the name and address of an American girl who gave her this special gift. 

"In July 1992, when I was in fifth grade, I met sister Ma Huiming while traveling in Emei Mountain, Sichuan Province. Her father is American, and her mother is from Guangdong. 'Ma Huiming' is her Chinese name. She gave me a dollar as a keepsake." 

She expressed her desire to learn about Ma's current situation. 

One netizen, with the username "Little Sweet Potato 678CB735" on RedNote, posted a message hoping to thank the ground staff who helped him during his layover at Austin Airport in the US in 2019. At the time, he only managed to take a hurried photo as a memento before rushing to catch his flight. He hopes to leverage the active presence of Chinese and American netizens on RedNote to find this staff member. 

In response to his post, some users offered to keep an eye out for the staff member when they arrive at the airport, while others helped translate and share his search message on X.

"This quest for connection embodies a return to the 'innocent heart' of human communication: Kindness, honesty, and mutual support," Zeng Chi, a research fellow at the Research Center for Journalism and Social Development at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times. 

Zeng emphasized that the Chinese young generation has been educated from an early age to embrace globalization. In this educational context, they are taught to anticipate the day they will meet a "foreign friend" and establish a friendship. 

"Whether through the traditional face to face communication or the modern dynamics of social media, the underlying principle of cultural exchange and mutual learning is not unfamiliar for them," Zeng said.

'You have been so nice'

China US Photo:VCG

In this online party that facilitates making reconnecting with old friends, the willingness for open communication have given US people a more vivid and comprehensive understanding of China and its people.

More direct and interesting exchanges are taking place. "Is it really expensive to call an ambulance in the US?" "I live in rural America and want to know what rural China is like!""Why do the Chinese people love and trust their police and military instead of fearing them?"... With a natural sense of curiosity and interest, people from both countries are actively posting on Chinese social media, eager to learn more about each other.

This unexpected online interaction has allowed many US netizens to get a glimpse of the real China that is often overshadowed by demonization narratives prevalent in the West.

"I think that due to the education system and media sources in the US, I had a very incorrect view of Chinese people, especially the younger generation," Isabel Adelia, an American RedNote user, told the Global Times. 

As some misunderstandings and barriers gradually diminish, social media platforms like Douyin and RedNote have become lively and engaging "tea parties" that effortlessly gather people from all walks of life in China and the US.

Over the weekend, NBA teams eagerly established official accounts on RedNote, attracting numerous basketball fans to subscribe. A US astronomy photographer shared images of the Andromeda Galaxy and Rosette Nebula, receiving an outpouring of appreciation in the comments. A US mother posted late at night to thank Chinese mothers for suggesting she make "salted boiled oranges" for her daughter with a stuffy nose, writing, "It works so well! She breathes much more easily now."

Zeng believes that through the recent wave of "internet dialogues" between Chinese and American netizens, it has become evident that China's younger generation is increasingly confident in navigating the cultural diversity. Meanwhile, their counterparts abroad face a greater cognitive dissonance. 

"Authentic and sincere exchanges are undoubtedly beneficial in correcting misconceptions and dispelling biases," Zeng emphasized.

Countless touching moments like these have brought hearts across the ocean closer than ever, and the warmth and friendliness of Chinese netizens have left a great impression on people in the US. 

"In case we are separated, I wanted to let the Chinese people know something," a US RedNote user with the screen name "Thomayo" wrote last week, amid much discussion about whether TikTok would resume service in the US. "You have been so nice to us in a way that most Western countries aren't, and I am very thankful to have had this experience. Much love to all of you."

'I miss you, my Chinese classmate'