Tencent owns WeChat and operates one of the world’s largest video-game businesses.
Tencent was founded in Shenzhen in 1998 by Ma Huateng and several co-founders. Its first major product was QQ, an instant-messaging service that became widely used in China. The company later developed WeChat, known in China as Weixin, which combines messaging, payments, social features, and other services.
Tencent is also a major video-game publisher and investor. Its portfolio includes internally developed games, international publishing operations, and stakes in game companies around the world. It has also operated businesses in digital payments, music, cloud services, and online advertising.
As a listed company, Tencent’s market capitalization depends on its share price and the number of shares outstanding. Its valuation is often discussed alongside other large Chinese companies, but market rankings can vary with share prices and exchange rates.