WeChat: The Chinese super app

WeChat, or Weixin in Chinese, was launched in 2011 as an instant messaging app, and as of 2023, it has 1.36 billion monthly active users – almost equaling the entire population of China. Known world-wide as a super app even Elon Musk has thought of copying its functions. In the first episode of #ChinaExplained we take a look at how #WeChat began and its domination of the Chinese market over the last decade.


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[jamierudberg]

Been on this app since 2014, and all I can say is still nothing else dares to compare our there! A must for living and visiting China 👏🙌🙌🙌

[JeremyDeBose]

I think Apple(and Android companies) are getting us closer to this, minus the social network part. The Ecosystems have Wallets, money transfers, Apple has App Clips which are like mini apps(which needs to take off), etc etc. The only problem here is if these ecosystems added even more functionality, there would be more anti-trust suits and all that fun stuff to limit the companies’ power.

[n.park]

I would love an app like this in the UK!

[MdAkas-dipc]

Hope you understand my problem.. I want to download wechat app

[broinsocali]

Can this app be used in the USA to chat with friends in China?

[Auiydssyz]

I really like the idea of an app for all. But only for things I need to survive.

[marusdod]

but why? why not just use normal apps on your phone that do one single thing well, and have them interact with each other with builtin OS functionalities

[excancerpoik]

It's not a good thing because it let's one company control everything and sure it might be good but decentralised power is better and tends to lead to less corruption

for example, the government of China can control info just by surveilling WeChat since the company that owns WeChat has very close connections to the CCP

I really hope smt like this doesnt emerge in the west

[kingdom]

Ahhhh yes. An electronic central hub for centrally planned society’s.

[macaron]

This is a cool idea in concept, and just a few steps beyond what Facebook was at its peak. But giving a company or an untrustworthy government (Chinese or even our own) that much control over daily life is excessive.

[robhappe]

The app is very well monitored by the CCP.

[EstherCampbell-pk]

Rodriguez Joseph Thompson Mary Brown Carol

[utubesucks]

Wow CCPchowchow propaganda machine reaching Europe