Tencent launched the messaging service WeChat in 2011.
WeChat was initially developed as a mobile messaging application called Weixin in China. It expanded beyond text messaging to include voice communication, video calls, social feeds, payments, mini-programs, and business services. Outside mainland China, the service is generally known by the name WeChat.
Tencent was founded in Shenzhen in 1998 by Pony Ma, Zhang Zhidong, Xu Cheney, Chen Yidan, and Zeng Liqing. The company first became widely known for its instant-messaging product QQ, then diversified into online games, digital content, advertising, fintech, and cloud services.
A common mix-up is identifying WeChat with Alibaba, another major Chinese technology company. Alibaba is especially associated with e-commerce, while Tencent developed WeChat and operates major gaming and digital-service businesses.