Navigating the “Great Firewall of China” is no small feat – which is why understanding the country’s unique media and digital landscape is essential for any global communications strategy.
In May, we hosted a training workshop on this very topic in partnership with the expert team at Regroup China.
Colleagues from across TALA’s International Network joined us to deepen their understanding of one of the world’s most complex and fastly-evolving markets.
Together, we explored the key differences between Western and Chinese digital platforms, including the vital importance of a localised web presence.
From insights across Weibo, WeChat, and Rednote, to regulatory frameworks and B2B marketing tools – here are some of our key takeaways:
- Western digital platforms don’t work in China – local solutions are essential
- China is the world’s largest and still-growing online market
- Baidu dominates the search landscape – with PPC proving cost-effective for B2B lead generation
- Local websites perform better – western sites often load poorly in China
- Reputation management matters – from Baike pages to Baidu channel visibility
- WeChat remains the go-to for B2B, while WeCom boosts professionalism
- PIPL is stricter than GDPR – privacy compliance is non-negotiable
- Despite geopolitical headwinds, there’s strong optimism for the market’s potential
Thanks again to Regroup China for their expertise – and to our international partners for joining us in unlocking the opportunities of this ever-evolving market.