> there is a perception that they have succeeded through copycat strategies, and have benefited from Facebook and Google being blocked from operating in the cou

> there is a perception that they have succeeded through copycat strategies, and have benefited from Facebook and Google being blocked from operating in the country. This fluff piece goes on and on about the "Grand Design" but does nothing to address these two criticisms. WeChat did, in fact, begin as a blatant copy of WhatsApp: https://news.cgtn.com/news/30596a4e78677a6333566d54/share_p.html https://news.cgtn.com/news/30596a4e78677a6333566d54/share_p.... And maybe WeChat "didn’t get an easy ride", but it sure helps to have all major existing competitors locked out of your market.