How the Digital World Works in China
China is unique in many ways – from its economy and culture, to its internet. If you've ever tried searching on Google, sending a message via WhatsApp, or watching a YouTube video while in China, you’ve likely realized one thing very quickly – it simply doesn't work.
Welcome to a world that operates by its own digital rules. In this article, we’ll explain what the "Chinese internet" looks like, which apps work there, which don’t, and why, when working with China, we insist on communicating via email rather than apps like Viber or WhatsApp.
1. No Google, No Problem? Chinese Alternatives to Western Apps
The same apps we use every day in the West simply don’t exist in China. Instead, a parallel system of apps has been developed to perform the same or similar functions. Here’s a comparative table:
| Western App | Available in China | Chinese Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ❌ | Baidu | Main Chinese search engine, tailored to local users and language. | |
| YouTube | ❌ | Bilibili, Youku | Video sharing and viewing platforms, popular among young users. |
| ❌ | A super-app for messaging, calls, payments, and much more. | ||
| Facebook / Instagram | ❌ | Weibo, Xiaohongshu | Weibo is a mix of Twitter and Facebook, Xiaohongshu is Instagram + reviews. |
| Amazon | ✅ but unpopular | Taobao, JD | The largest e-commerce platforms in China. |
| Google Maps | ❌ | Baidu Maps, Gaode Maps | Local maps with excellent coverage in China. |
As you can see, every Western app has a Chinese counterpart – but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to use. Everything is based on language, local infrastructure, and regulations.
2. What Doesn’t Work in China?
- Facebook / Instagram / Messenger
- Telegram
- Viber
- Google (all services: Search, Gmail, Drive, Maps...)
- Dropbox, OneDrive (in most cases)
When you try to send a message to someone in China using these apps, chances are – nothing will happen. The message may appear to be sent, but it never reaches the recipient.
Even if your message does go through, it may arrive with significant delays or disappear completely due to censorship and restrictions. That’s why we always recommend – write an email.
Beyond the major websites, many other web platforms also can’t be accessed in China, often due to censorship or specific internet security and data protection laws. For example, websites dealing with trade, finance, or certain industries may be blocked if their content doesn’t comply with Chinese regulations or is deemed a threat to national security.
3. Why We Don’t Reply on Viber or WhatsApp
Simply put – our office in China does not use those apps. They don’t function within the Chinese internet system, and no serious supplier relies on unverified communication channels.
We can only use those apps via VPN, which often causes technical issues on our end, so we kindly ask – write to us via email.
In business communication, email is a formal, secure, and archivable channel. Every specification, offer, invoice, or agreement needs to be documented – something that can’t be guaranteed via an app that may not even work.
Real-life example: A customer told us they sent a purchase order via WhatsApp. The message never arrived. We lost two days of communication until everything was finally received – via email, of course.
4. WeChat – China’s Digital World in One App
WeChat is not just a messaging app. It’s a complete digital ecosystem:
- Messaging and calls
- Official accounts for brands and companies
- QR payments and online shopping
- Reservations, food delivery, ride-hailing
WeChat is useful if you're working with China, but its use is limited for foreigners. If you're outside of China, you need to pass certain verifications and connect with a local user to access all features.
5. Tips for Communicating with China
- Always use email for official and important information
- For large files, use services like WeTransfer, Google Drive (if the recipient uses VPN), or Chinese platforms like Baidu Cloud
- Agree on a communication channel with your Chinese partner in advance
- Don’t just send images – write an explanation
- Always confirm that your message was actually received (especially if using insecure apps)
Business Paradox: A Website About China That’s Not Visible in China
How is it possible that a website focused on trade with China doesn’t work in China?
One often-overlooked yet important issue in doing business with China is the fact that many websites claiming to specialize in import, logistics, or mediation with China – are not accessible from China itself. When a user in China tries to visit such a site, they may see a message like: "Country Blocked – Access to this page is forbidden." This doesn’t mean the Chinese government blocked the site, but rather that the company behind the website has restricted access from Chinese IP addresses, usually for technical, security, or strategic reasons.
This situation raises an important issue of trust. If a website offers services related to China but isn’t visible to Chinese partners, the obvious question arises: how connected are they really to China? Do they actually work with local factories, agents, and inspectors if no one from China can even reach them through their official site?
Before deciding to work with companies advertising themselves online as "China importers" or "specialized agents", it’s wise to check whether their website is accessible from China. The easiest way is by using free tools like GreatFire Analyzer or WebsitePulse China Test, where you can enter a website address and find out if it’s accessible from major Chinese cities. If a site isn’t available from Beijing, Shanghai, or Shenzhen – that’s a major red flag.
When choosing a business partner for China, make sure they are truly present in China – both online and offline. And if their website doesn’t work in China, it’s worth asking whether their business really works there at all.
Why Don’t We Have Google Reviews?
If you’ve tried to find our company’s reviews on Google, you may have noticed that they don’t exist or are limited. The reason is that Google, along with all its services – including Google My Business and Google Maps – is blocked in China. Since our business is focused specifically on working with China and Chinese partners, most of our communication, services, and client interactions don’t happen within the Google ecosystem.
In China, Google reviews aren’t used – instead, there are local alternatives like Dianping and Baidu Maps vendor ratings, which are relevant in the local context but not visible to an international audience. That’s why most of our results, experiences, and client feedback are shared through direct communication, case studies, and content on our website.
Likewise, our presence on Western social media like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is minimal or nonexistent – because those platforms are also blocked in China. Our partners, suppliers, and field teams operate in an environment that uses completely different tools and networks – such as WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Weibo, and others. On those platforms, we build local credibility and collaboration, while for international partners we focus on direct communication, documented success stories, and content published on our site.
If you care about checking our reputation, feel free to contact us – we can provide concrete examples of successful projects, video material from the field, and client references willing to share their experience.
Conclusion: Internet in China Isn’t Less Developed – It’s Just Different
While we in the West rely on Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp, in China those roles are filled by Baidu, WeChat, and Weibo. Their system is closed, but efficient – as long as you know how to use it.
So, if you’re planning cooperation, import, or any kind of business with China, accept this simple rule: write an email. It’s the most secure and reliable way to ensure your Chinese partners actually hear you.
For more useful advice on doing business with China, supplier checks, organizing transport, and other practical topics – explore the other articles on our website.