Apparently they blocked access to Xiaohongshu on the desktop by polluting DNS entries, which can be easily circumvented by just changing DNS server address network settings. This didn’t affect the mobile app, which can be accessed without a VPN.
It’s very funny how Xiaohongshu went from a largely domestic app to multiple time international headline maker this year without them doing a thing. 
“It’s very funny how Xiaohongshu went from a largely domestic app to multiple time international headline maker this year without them doing a thing.”
To their credit, when the global popularity was apparent they were quick to add built in translation features.
Really good translation features too, it’s the only social media I know of that easily translates text in images
Weixin has been doing it for 10+ years, (one of the reasons it’s miles better than its only competition, LINE) but i haven’t tried the function in XHS yet
WeChats is better because you can translate entire pages while XHS requires you to click each comment individually for some reason.
Both are solid enough to translate information but kinda shit at any kinda tone or slang.
Twice could still be a coincidence, but if it happens a third time I will be 100% convinced that TikTok stumbled onto learning that being “banned” by the government can be extremely profitable and XHS is following their lead.
