Messaging in China
Most international messaging systems are tied to social media platforms and are not available in China.
For business, the practical default is WeChat — but enterprise messaging, niche platforms, and regulatory constraints all matter.
Why this matters
Messaging between staff, friends, and family is as important in China as it is anywhere else in the world. But the platform landscape is different: most international messaging services are blocked, and China’s domestic apps are tightly integrated with payments, social media, and business workflows.
What is available in China?
- Mobile networks: local and overseas telecom services work in China for calls and SMS.
- SMS: available but used far less than app-based messaging.
- Domestic messaging platforms: widely used, feature-rich, and often replace email for day-to-day communication.
Major messaging platforms in China
China has developed national messaging systems over the years. Below are the most relevant platforms for overseas businesses to understand.
Text based system – Tencent – 1999 – 574 million (2023)
Instant messaging with text, voice, video calls, group chats, and file sharing. QQ remains popular among younger users and gamers and supports QQ Wallet payments.
Momo
Messaging app and social networking – Momo Inc – 2010
A location based social networking and messaging app mainly used for meeting new people and social interaction. It supports text and voice messaging, as well as live streaming.
MiChat
Massaging platform like WiChat – Xiaomi – 2010 to 2021
Initially, it started as a messaging platform similar to WiChat. It supports messaging, voice, and video calls, but Xiaomi later discontinued the service in China to focus on other markets.
Messaging App (text) – Tencent – 2011 – 1.26 billion users (2023)
Messaging (text, voice, video), voice calls, group chats, and social features like "Moments." It also supports payments via WeChat Pay and mini-programs for businesses.
YiChat
Messaging service – China Telecom and NetEase – 2013
A messaging service offering free SMS (to non-YiChat users), voice, and video calls, it was launched as a competitor to WeChat but never gained the same popularity.
DingTalk
Messaging (text/voice/video/files) – Alibaba – 2014 – 500 million users (2023)
It is primarily an enterprise communication tool that offers text and voice messaging, video calls, task management, and file sharing for business use.
DouYin
Messaging, social media, e-commerce platform – ByteDance – 2016 – 730 Chinese users. (2023)
Today, it's mainly known as a short-form video platform similar to TikTok (the international version of Douyin). It's widely used for sharing user-generated videos, challenges, and memes. Used as a messaging platform, mainly by your people
TikTok systems run on different platforms from DouYin and are not linked.
Feishu / Lark
Enterprise messaging platform – ByteDance – 2019 – 10 million users (2023)
An enterprise messaging platform, similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams, offers messaging, file sharing, video calls, and collaboration tools, focused on work communication.
There is an exception for overseas messaging services not blocked in China.
Skype
Microsoft - 2003 to 2024
Used for international communication, offering text, voice, and video calls. Skype is used in China but faces restrictions and competition from local services like WeChat and QQ.
Overseas messaging services are available in China by using a VPN. The Chinese regulations do not allow the use of VPNs. Most VPNs in China are blocked.
In addition to the above messaging services, all social media platforms have their own messaging services. The primary social media not covered above
Social media – Sina Corporation (30% owned by Alibaba) - 2009 – 584 million users (2023)
While primarily a social media platform, Weibo has integrated messaging features that allow users to communicate privately. It’s famous for sharing updates, news, and trends and has a significant influence on public discourse in China.
Xiaohongshu (Red Book)
Xingin Information Technology – 2013
A social commerce platform where users share reviews of products and lifestyle tips, particularly popular for fashion, beauty, and travel.
- While primarily a social media platform, Weibo has integrated messaging features that allow users to communicate privately. It’s famous for sharing updates, news, and trends and has a significant influence on public discourse in China.
- Xiaohongshu (Red Book) - Xingin Information Technology – 2013
- A social commerce platform where users share reviews of products and lifestyle tips, particularly popular for fashion, beauty, and travel.
- Overseas messaging to and from China recommendations
- Open a WeChat account. This can be done in most overseas countries. More than 95+% of Chinese businesses and consumers have a WeChat account. There is a translation option available.
- A Red Book account may be required if your customer/supplier uses this platform for business messaging. Note: - As stated above, Red Book users will also have a WeChat account.
- Standard text messaging is available, but is not used much in China. If you use text messaging and do not get a reply, there may be a problem in China. Backup texting at the outset to ensure there are no communication problems.
- Please remember to respect Chinese rules and regulations on messaging content.
Overseas messaging services
There are limited exceptions where overseas messaging services can work in China. For example, Skype may be usable for international communication, but availability and quality can vary.
Overseas messaging services can also be accessed using a VPN, but VPN usage is regulated and most consumer VPNs are blocked.
Recommendations for overseas messaging to and from China
- Open a WeChat account: this can be done in most overseas countries. Nearly all Chinese businesses and consumers use WeChat.
- Use built-in translation carefully: translation is available, but validate important terms and commitments with a Chinese speaker.
- Have a backup plan: SMS exists, but if you do not get a reply it may indicate delivery or usage issues in China.
- Respect content rules: avoid sensitive or prohibited topics and keep business messages professional.
Quick checklist
Use this checklist when setting up communications with Chinese partners.
- Do you and your staff have WeChat accounts set up (and verified)?
- Have you agreed which platform is used for business messaging vs personal chat?
- Do you have a backup channel if a platform fails (SMS / email / alternative app)?
- Are you avoiding sensitive topics and respecting Chinese content rules?
- Are key decisions confirmed in a formal channel (email / contract), not only chat?
- Have you tested your ability to communicate from inside China (travel scenario)?
Need help?
If you want help setting up a China-ready messaging and communication process, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.