WeChat Life in China

India China Connections on WeChat: Where Canadians Actually Get Stuck It is 8:30 p.m. in a shared flat in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, or any other city where the kettle is working overtime. A Canadian student has just been added to three WeChat groups: one for an India China student network, one for flatmates, and one that appears to be half job leads, half restaurant photos, with 423 unread messages before bedtime. Welcome to the real onboarding process. ...

A Sichuan Mahjong App Is Handy — but Your WeChat Circle Matters More Picture a rainy Sunday in Chengdu, or maybe a quiet evening in Vancouver while you are getting ready for a semester in Sichuan. You have downloaded a Sichuan mahjong app, watched a few rule videos, and figured you are ready to sit down for a real game. Then somebody says, “Come to the WeChat group.” Suddenly, the tiles are the easy part. ...

A Canadian Navy Search Can Still Lead to a Very Civilian WeChat Problem If you are searching for “Canadian Navy” while living in China, preparing for a move, or supporting a family member from afar, odds are you are not looking for a grand lecture. You are likely trying to sort out ordinary life: how to keep in touch, find an English-speaking dentist, compare neighbourhoods, ask about schools, share documents with relatives, or meet other Canadians without turning your WeChat into a digital junk drawer. ...