From TikTok Ban to "Cat Tax": An Unexpected Cultural Exchange Between China and the US
An Unexpected Turn
In the winter of 2025, an unprecedented social media migration is unfolding. When the US government announced its plan to completely ban TikTok from 19 January, an unexpected phenomenon emerged—masses of American netizens began flooding into Chinese social media platforms, particularly Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). This phenomenon, playfully dubbed as "digital exile", quickly evolved into an unprecedented civilian dialogue between China and the US. From initial frustration and helplessness to mutual understanding and cultural integration, this trans-Pacific dialogue is reshaping how people from both nations perceive each other.
"Cat Tax": A Heart-warming Cultural Ice-breaker
In this wave of transnational social interaction, the emergence of "cat tax" culture has become particularly noteworthy. It all started when an American netizen from Boston posted a photo of her ginger cat on Xiaohongshu, writing, "Heard this is the entry ticket? Here's my cat tax!" This playful gesture triggered a chain reaction, with more and more American users posting photos of their cats as their "entry pass".
This light-hearted form of communication immediately received an enthusiastic response from Chinese netizens. Soon, "cat tax" evolved beyond a simple internet phrase to become a unique bridge connecting ordinary citizens from both countries. From Maine Coons to British Shorthairs, from ginger cats to calicos, various cat photos became the best "diplomats" in crossing language barriers.
What's more fascinating is how this "tax-paying" method spawned numerous interesting interactions. American netizens began enquiring about Chinese cat food brands and pet-raising experiences, whilst Chinese netizens shared local pet toys and supplies. A netizen from Texas mused, "Being a cat person is truly a global identity—we share the same joys and worries."
Revealing Conversations: Shocking Truths
As the dialogue deepened, both sides began exchanging startling truths. These conversations extended beyond simple cultural exchange into topics that deeply concern ordinary citizens.
About Work and Life
When a netizen from Guangxi asked, "Is it true that Americans need two jobs to survive?" responses from across America were shocking. A netizen from Chicago shared his detailed work situation: "I work 84 hours per week—my main job is as a programmer at a tech company, and after hours, I drive for Uber. My father does the same; he teaches at school during the day and stocks shelves at a supermarket at night. This has become the norm for our generation."
Another netizen from California shared his mortgage pressure: "Monthly mortgage payments take up 45% of my income, and that's while working in the tech industry. Many of my colleagues are considering moving to smaller cities because they can't afford Silicon Valley's living costs."
These genuine shares have overturned many Chinese people's long-held perceptions of the "American Dream". As a netizen from Shenzhen remarked: "So the life we see in movies might just be Hollywood fairy tales."
Vast Differences in Healthcare Systems
The healthcare discussion triggered particularly strong reactions. A case shared by a netizen from Henan left many Americans gobsmacked: their mother's colleague was hospitalised for two weeks after a fracture, requiring nine steel pins and a full-body examination, yet only needed to pay 2,000 yuan after health insurance.
This case immediately sparked a series of American responses. A nurse from Boston wrote: "Last week I was hospitalised for acute appendicitis. The surgery was successful, but the bill was devastating—just three days in hospital cost $43,000. Even with insurance, I still had to pay $8,000. It nearly wiped out my savings."
Others shared stories about having to forgo treatment due to lack of insurance. A netizen from Minnesota said: "I know someone who endured toothache for months because they were worried about the medical costs. They eventually had to fly to Mexico for treatment because it cost only one-tenth of what it would in the US."
Education Costs Discussion
The topic of education similarly sparked heated discussion. When Chinese netizens shared their university tuition fees and student loan policies, American netizens expressed evident envy. A recently graduated American student wrote: "My student loan amounts to $120,000. At my current salary level, I estimate it will take at least 15 years to repay. This affects all my life plans, including buying a house and getting married."
Unexpected Discoveries: Breaking Stereotypes
Throughout this cross-cultural exchange, both sides continuously broke down stereotypes about each other. For instance, when American netizens discovered that Tesla founder Elon Musk's mother was active on Chinese social platforms, their reactions were full of surprise. A netizen from Seattle commented: "We're always told that China is a closed country, but look at this—even Musk's mother is sharing her life here. This completely overturns my understanding."
More American netizens began paying attention to China's technological development. They discovered that China not only has an advanced mobile payment system but also comprehensive bike-sharing networks and high-speed rail systems. A netizen from New York remarked: "While we're still troubled by subway breakdowns, China has built the world's largest high-speed rail network. I realise how little we know about China."
The Dissolution of Opinion Hegemony
The far-reaching impact of this cultural exchange is evidenced by data. According to research by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) at Rutgers University, only 11% of users on TikTok hold negative views about China. This data stands in stark contrast to other mainstream American internet platforms.
More notably, research shows that the longer users spend on the platform, the more positive their impressions of China become, particularly regarding culture, tourism, and technology. As one researcher pointed out: "This indicates that when people have access to real, unfiltered information, they tend to form more objective and comprehensive understandings."
Beyond "Cat Tax": More Cultural Integration
As the exchange deepened, "cat tax" culture continued to evolve. American netizens began sharing their home-baked bread and asking Chinese netizens about baking experiences; Chinese netizens taught their American friends how to use chopsticks; some even started organising online language exchange groups.
An American netizen from Texas shared: "Initially, I just wanted to see what Chinese social platforms were like. Now I'm learning Chinese every day and have made many Chinese friends. This might be the biggest unexpected gain from the TikTok ban."
The Unstoppable Flow of Civilisational Exchange
What began as a response to the TikTok ban ultimately evolved into a profound cross-cultural dialogue. From initial cat photo exchanges to deeper conversations, this exchange, transcending language and cultural barriers, demonstrates new possibilities for civilisational dialogue in the internet age.
As one Chinese netizen said: "You can ban a platform, but you can't stop people's determination to seek truth and understanding." This exchange proves that in the digital age, civilisational dialogue and understanding will ultimately break through all artificial barriers.
The rise of "cat tax" culture perfectly illustrates how, in this controversial era, understanding and kindness between people can be demonstrated in the simplest, purest ways. This isn't just an internet phenomenon; it's a snapshot of an era, showing humanity's eternal desire for genuine communication.
In this age of highly fluid information, perhaps we should consider: true civilisational exchange shouldn't be blocked by political barriers but should flow freely on the borderless platform of the internet, allowing truth to flow freely and understanding to nurture each other. As one netizen said: "Maybe one day we'll thank this TikTok ban because it unexpectedly opened a window between us."
