Discover RedNote
RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, is one of China’s fastest-growing lifestyle and social commerce platforms. Often described as “China’s Instagram-meets-Pinterest” (The New York Times), RED blends personal storytelling, product reviews, and community-based discovery in a mobile-first format. Users—primarily young, urban, and tech-savvy—post photos and videos called “notes” to share their experiences with beauty, fashion, food, travel, and daily life.
In 2024, RED gained unexpected global visibility during the wave of so-called “TikTok refugees”—American users who, fearing a potential U.S. ban on TikTok, migrated to Xiaohongshu. The app surged to the top of the U.S. App Store. What followed was a rare moment of genuine cultural exchange: American teens offered to help Chinese users with English homework, and Chinese users welcomed them with messages like “We are not enemies; we are human beings in one world.” (AP, Rest of World, The Guardian)
For Chinese-speaking immigrants worldwide—especially in places like South Surrey–White Rock, Canada—Xiaohongshu has become an essential source for local information, service tips, and peer-to-peer advice. It’s not just a social platform; it’s a grassroots digital bridge connecting lives across borders and cultures.
RedNote Account: White Rock × South Surrey
In Chinese-speaking communities, local news is often accessed through Chinese-language platforms, while mainstream English-language sources are frequently overlooked due to language and cultural barriers. White Rock × South Surrey was created to bridge that gap.
Using AI tools to automatically extract, translate, and edit content, we curate relevant local updates from trusted sources such as Peace Arch News, Vancouver Sun, The Globe and Mail, and local Facebook community groups. We focus on high-interest topics for Chinese immigrants, including weekend events, public service updates like Surrey’s free garbage drop-off and water meter installation program, rainy-season traffic safety tips across Metro Vancouver, local shopping tips, and highlights from community activities and cultural celebrations.
With this targeted, bilingual approach, White Rock × South Surrey has quickly grown to over 1,500 followers, becoming the largest Chinese-language information platform in the South Surrey–White Rock area. Our mission is to freely support and promote small businesses and non-profit organizations, helping them better connect with and serve the local Chinese-speaking community.
Our Impactful Stories
Supporting Art Classes with Teacher Grace
The Arts Umbrella South Surrey location was closed due to a rent increase, leaving many programs, including art classes taught by Grace Gihm, without a venue. However, several students were eager to continue their art journey with Grace.
We help by sharing the information on our Xiaohongshu account, connecting Grace with the local community. Through our efforts, a new venue was secured at Angle Brush, allowing the classes to resume.
The program started with 6 students and soon grew to 10 students, ensuring these young artists could continue learning and thriving under Grace’s guidance. This case highlights our commitment to supporting educators and fostering creative opportunities for youth in the community.
Connecting Local Businesses with Peace Arch Hospital Foundation
We successfully introduced three local businesses — Fisherman’s Chinese Fusion, Moon Thai Massage & Spa, and Maple Sushi Japanese Restaurant — to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, resulting in their inclusion in the Foundation’s 2025 Calendar.
The Peace Arch Hospital Foundation’s mandate is to support local programs and initiatives that foster the creation of the healthiest community possible. To align with this vision, the Foundation collaborated with local businesses in the South Surrey/White Rock area, featuring some each month in their annual calendar.
Through our efforts, Fisherman’s Chinese Fusion, Moon Thai Massage & Spa, and Maple Sushi Japanese Restaurant were spotlighted as key contributors to the community’s wellness and vibrancy. Each business was featured in the calendar with a special coupon, encouraging community members to sample their services.
This collaboration not only provided these businesses with meaningful exposure but also strengthened the Foundation’s efforts to build connections within the community. It’s an excellent example of how we bridges local businesses with impactful community initiatives.
Supporting Semiahmoo Trail: How Collective Action Preserved a Historic Legacy
In 2024, the City of Surrey announced plans to expand a cemetery onto part of the 150-year-old Semiahmoo Trail, a site listed on Canada’s Register of Historic Places. This sparked strong opposition from local residents and non-profit organizations who sought to protect the trail’s ecological, cultural, and historical value.
In response, our RedNote account launched an awareness campaign, sharing detailed posts about the trail’s heritage and the implications of the proposed cemetery expansion. We assisted in organizing and promoting a community walk on November 29, 2024, which drew over 200 participants, demonstrating widespread public concern.
Thanks to the collective efforts of residents, community groups, and heritage advocates, the City of Surrey eventually withdrew its cemetery expansion plan on the trail.
Following this success, we collaborated with Friends of Semiahmoo Trail to design promotional posters for their city-supported trail walk. We published the event on our RedNote Account, helping to attract nearly 200 more local residents to join and celebrate the preservation of this vital piece of history.
