Tencent owns WeChat, the Chinese messaging and services platform that helped make the company one of Asia's largest public technology businesses.
Tencent was founded in Shenzhen in 1998 by Ma Huateng and several co-founders. Its first major product was OICQ, an instant-messaging service later renamed QQ. The company expanded into online games, digital content, advertising, fintech, cloud computing, and investments in technology businesses.
WeChat began as a mobile messaging application in 2011. It developed into a broad platform offering messaging, voice and video calls, payments, mini-programs, news, shopping, and other services. In China, its role extends well beyond the functions usually associated with a standalone messaging app.
Tencent is sometimes confused with ByteDance, the company behind TikTok and Douyin. They are separate Chinese technology companies with different flagship platforms. Tencent's market value is influenced by both its operating businesses and its significant investments in other companies.