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. 
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.