Sponsor is perhaps a strong word. You need another WeChat user to verify your account by scanning a QR code displayed on your app using their app. You need to do this when you create an account, and also if you haven't used your account in a while. I assume this is some sort of anti-spam/anti-bot feature.

Note that the above is just for the chat feature. You have to jump through more hoops if you want to make payments using the app.

Not only is it an anti-spam feature, but a single personal connection gives substantial insight into a person's social graph.

https://share.busheezy.dev/gVeb8W.png This is what I see.

To use the Chinese version of WeChat.

To use the version of WeChat I downloaded through the Play store.