My anecdotal experience contradicts yours (unfortunately I don’t think there is data available to us to help prove anything). In San Francisco many first, second, and third generation Chinese people extensively use wechat due to network effects, familiarity, stickers etc.
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by seanmcdirmid on Monday September 25, 2017 @09:06PM
(#15335404)
My list said Wechat isn't used unless it is for something mainland china related. The same is true in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by yourapostasy on Monday September 25, 2017 @05:53PM
(#15334500)
> Even in HK and Taiwan, WeChat is not used outside of those reasons.
Before someone asks, the approximate equivalent of WeChat in Taiwan is Line. Don't know what it is in HK.
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by seanmcdirmid on Monday September 25, 2017 @06:03PM
(#15334566)
Even that isn't really accurate. Wechat is an app ecosystem, it is as much like Google Play as it is like WhatsApp. Also, Facebook and google services remain popular in greater china outside of the mainland.
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by PresidentObama on Monday September 25, 2017 @06:23PM
(#15334676)
The equivalent of WeChat in HK is WhatsApp.
Re:China Blocks WhatsApp
by richardknop on Tuesday September 26, 2017 @05:18AM
(#15337264)
Lot of people in HK use Wechat (I have lived in HK). I wouldn't say it's so clear cut. LINE is also popular. But definitely Wechat is substantial especially since there's a lot of people from mainland and also if you got friends in Shenzen, you will use Wechat. I have seen many HK locals (born in HK, not immigrants from mainland) using Wechat.
WeChat working in the US is like UnionPay working in the US. Ya, its great if you are a Chinese tourist or an expat with a Chinese bank account, but it is irrelevant if you aren't, UnionPay isn't going to start taking over the American ATM card market.