Screenshot of Xi Jinping visiting the Tencent headquarters.

Dec 7, 2012 - Xi visits Tencent

During a trip to Shenzhen in economy-vibrant Guangdong province, Xi visited the headquarters of Internet giant Tencent, owner of various online services including social networking and gaming.

The president showed a special interest in WeChat, a mobile messaging application with roughly 600 million users globally. Pony Ma, chairman and founder of Tencent, showcased the features of the app for Xi, including how to send emoji emoticons.

As WeChat at that time was eyeing more user base in Southeast Asia, Xi asked Ma about the company's overseas expansion plans. "Human history has entered the Internet era, your opinions on Internet governance and development are very valuable," Xi told Tencent employees.