Why did Xinhua specifically cover a British elder becoming an internet celebrity on Xiaohongshu? The answer lies in his comment section.
A former UK cabinet minister, once a frequent guest on BBC during the Brexit years, now engages Chinese netizens on Xiaohongshu in conversations about Churchill and Thatcher.
Vince Cable, former leader of the UK Liberal Democrats and business secretary from 2010 to 2015, launched his Xiaohongshu account over a year ago and has amassed nearly 180,000 followers.
Xinhua reported on him specifically on October 18, with a straightforward headline: “A Former British Minister Becomes a Celebrity on Xiaohongshu: I Am Part of People-to-People Exchange.”
In an interview with Xinhua, Cable said that being an online “influencer” in China has been a novel and enjoyable experience. He added that exchanges with Chinese users “offer insights into promoting mutual understanding between the UK and China and advancing bilateral relations.”
What makes this story truly noteworthy, however, is not the label of “foreign political figure joining a Chinese platform,” but rather the substance of what he discusses on Xiaohongshu.
During the Brexit era, Cable was one of Britain’s most vocal pro-Europe voices. He publicly stated that older voters who supported Brexit were “using nostalgia for Britain’s imperial past to hijack the future of younger generations.” Such remarks would have drawn sharp criticism in the UK. Yet on Xiaohongshu, Chinese users asked him: What do you British people actually think? Do young Britons still believe in Churchill’s legacy? Is Thatcher seen as a hero or a villain among Chinese youth?
These questions are rarely debated openly in the UK—too likely to spark controversy. But on Xiaohongshu, a British elder and Chinese young people can discuss them calmly and constructively.
One user wrote in the comments that before seeing Cable’s posts, their understanding of Brexit had been limited to news headlines. Only after following his content did they realize it was fundamentally a generational divide—a deep disagreement between older and younger Britons over what Britain should be.
Others asked whether the actual views of young Britons toward Churchill and Thatcher differ significantly from what is presented in Chinese textbooks.
This is precisely what is unfolding on Xiaohongshu: a former UK cabinet minister engaging directly with ordinary Chinese citizens without media mediation. Chinese netizens no longer need foreign outlets to interpret British perspectives—they can ask a British person directly: What are you really thinking?
Defining Cable as “part of people-to-people exchange” is, in my view, an accurate characterization. Traditionally, international exchanges have conjured images of official visits, cultural festivals, and academic forums. Cable’s work represents a different model—one based on direct, video-based dialogue with Chinese audiences.
Moreover, the user profile on Xiaohongshu is particularly interesting. It draws a large number of young people interested in lifestyle, knowledge, and authentic personal experiences. Cable’s presence there is not intended as political propaganda. He shares his perspective as an aging Briton on how the world works. Chinese users’ interest in him stems not from his title, but from the unique worldview he offers—a lens that diversifies their own understanding.
One comment put it well: Previously, it was Chinese people circumventing the firewall to access global views. Now, the world is coming to Xiaohongshu to talk with Chinese youth.
Cable himself said in the interview that such exchanges “provide inspiration for enhancing mutual understanding between the UK and China.” This may be the most compelling aspect of Xiaohongshu as an international platform for grassroots diplomacy—it makes the idea of a “global village” tangible.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879478633011212/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.