WeChat (微信 Wēixìn), launched by Tencent in 2011, has evolved far beyond a simple messaging app to become an indispensable part of Chinese life. With over 1.3 billion monthly active users, WeChat is not just an app—it's a complete digital ecosystem that touches nearly every aspect of daily life in China.

When Chinese people meet for the first time, one of the most common phrases you'll hear is "我们加个微信吧？" (Wǒmen jiā gè Wēixìn ba?) meaning "Shall we add each other on WeChat?" This has become the modern equivalent of exchanging phone numbers or business cards. Adding someone on WeChat signifies the beginning of a connection, whether personal or professional.

💡 Cultural Insight: In China, not having WeChat is almost like not having a phone number. It's essential for work, socializing, shopping, and accessing services. Many businesses don't even have websites—they operate entirely through WeChat Official Accounts.

Alipay (支付宝 Zhīfùbǎo), created by Alibaba Group in 2004, is China's largest third-party mobile and online payment platform. While WeChat Pay is integrated into social interactions, Alipay focuses primarily on financial services and e-commerce, though it has expanded into many other areas.

Together, WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate China's mobile payment market, accounting for over 90% of all mobile transactions. China has essentially become a cashless society, with even street vendors, beggars, and temple donation boxes accepting QR code payments.

The phrase "扫一扫" (sǎo yī sǎo) meaning "scan it" has become one of the most commonly heard expressions in modern China. QR codes (二维码 èrwéimǎ) are absolutely everywhere, and scanning them has become second nature to Chinese people.

When adding someone on WeChat, you'll often hear "你扫我？" (Nǐ sǎo wǒ?) meaning "You scan me?" or "我扫你" (Wǒ sǎo nǐ) meaning "I'll scan you." Each person displays their personal WeChat QR code, and the other person scans it with their phone's camera to instantly add them as a contact.

💡 Cultural Insight: China has leapfrogged the credit card era and gone straight from cash to mobile payments. Many young Chinese people rarely carry cash or even physical wallets anymore—their smartphone is their wallet, ID, transportation card, and social life all in one.

The ubiquity of WeChat, Alipay, and QR codes has fundamentally changed Chinese social behavior and expectations:

• Instant Connectivity: Adding someone on WeChat is now the default way to stay in touch. Business cards often include a WeChat QR code instead of just phone numbers.
• Cashless Convenience: It's common to go weeks without touching physical money. Even street food vendors and elderly sellers at farmers' markets accept mobile payments.
• Digital Divide: While convenient for most, this cashless society can be challenging for elderly people unfamiliar with smartphones or rural residents with limited internet access.
• Privacy Concerns: The integration of social life, payments, and services into one app raises questions about data privacy and government surveillance.
• Social Etiquette: WeChat has created new social norms, such as the expectation to respond quickly to messages, the art of sending appropriate red envelopes, and the etiquette of Moments interactions.

For Foreigners in China: Having WeChat is essential. Many services, from ordering food delivery to booking doctor appointments, require a Chinese phone number and WeChat account. International credit cards often don't work, so setting up WeChat Pay or Alipay (which now accept some foreign cards) is crucial for daily life.