View source for Tencent

{{Short description|Chinese conglomerate holding company}}
{{use British English|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Tencent Holdings Ltd.
| native_name = 腾讯控股有限公司
| native_name_lang = zh
| logo = Tencent logo 2017.svg
| image = Tencent Seafront Tower in Dec2020.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| image_caption = [[Tencent Binhai Mansion|Tencent Seafront Towers]] in [[Shenzhen]]
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list|{{Hong Kong Stock Exchange|700}}|{{OTC Pink|TCEHY}}|[[Hang Seng Index]] component}}
| ISIN = {{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|KYG875721634}}
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|[[Ma Huateng|Pony Ma]]|[[Tony Zhang]]|Xu Chenye|[[Chen Yidan|Charles Chen]]|Zeng Liqing}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1998|11|7}}
| hq_location = [[Tencent Binhai Mansion]], [[Nanshan District, Shenzhen|Nanshan District]], Shenzhen, [[Guangdong]], [[China]]
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Pony Ma ([[chairman]], [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])|Martin Lau ([[executive director]], [[President (corporate title)|president]])}}
| industry = [[Technology company|Technology]]
| products = {{Hlist|[[Artificial intelligence]]|[[cloud computing]]|[[automation]]|[[search engine]]|[[social networking]]|[[instant messaging]]|[[mass media]]|[[web portal]]s|[[e-commerce]]|[[web browser]]|[[antivirus software]]|[[music]]|[[payment system]]|[[Filmmaking|film production]]|[[video game]]s|[[Online service provider|online services]]}}
| revenue = {{increase}} {{CNY|609.015&nbsp;billion|link=yes}} (US$86.02&nbsp;billion) (2023)<ref name="Annual Report">{{Cite web |title=2023 Annual Report |url=https://static.www.tencent.com/uploads/2024/04/08/e95c902973fc282be3b3e285c6245281.pdf |access-date=22 July 2024 |publisher=Tencent.com}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} {{CNY|293.109 billion}} (US$41.40&nbsp;billion) (2023)<ref name="Annual Report" />
| net_income = {{decrease}} {{CNY|118.048 billion}} (US$16.67&nbsp;billion) (2023)<ref name="Annual Report" />
| assets = {{increase}} {{CNY|1.578 trillion}} (US$222.88&nbsp;billion) (2023)<ref name="Annual Report" />
| equity = {{increase}} {{CNY|873.681 billion}} (US$123.40&nbsp;billion) (2023)<ref name="Annual Report" />
| owners = {{plainlist|
* [[Naspers]] (25.65%;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/TENCENT-HOLDINGS-LIMITED-3045861/company/|title=TENCENT HOLDINGS LIMITED (700)|access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref> since 2019 through [[Prosus]]<ref name = "prosus">{{Cite web |title= prosus2021-annual-report2 |url= https://presspage-production-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2658/prosus2021-annual-report2.pdf?10000 |access-date= 12 November 2021 |archive-date= 25 June 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210625214508/https://presspage-production-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2658/prosus2021-annual-report2.pdf?10000 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{rp|239}})
}}
| num_employees = 105,417 (2023)<ref name="Annual Report" />
| divisions = {{Unbulleted list|Tencent Interactive Entertainment|[[Tencent Music]]|[[Tencent Pictures]]}}
| subsid = {{ubl|[[iflix]]|List of [[Tencent#Video games|§Video games]] companies subsidiaries}}
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.tencent.com|tencent.com}}
| module = {{infobox network service provider|child=yes|asn=132203}}
}}{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Tencent (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Tencent" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
| picupright = 0.425
| s = 腾讯
| t = 騰訊
| p = Téngxùn
| tp = Téng-syùn
| w = {{tone superscript|T'eng2-hsün4}}
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|t|eng|2|.|xun|4}}
| bpmf = ㄊㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄣˋ<!--Mandarin Zhuyin Fuhao/Bopomofo transcriptions are to be here for accesibility purposes. Taiwanese readers may be more comfortable and familiar with reading Zhuyin Fuhao/Bopomofo transcriptions over other Mandarin transcriptions schemes, as Zhuyin Fuhao/Bopomofo education is compulsory in the Republic of China.-->
| j = tang4 seon3<!--The Tencent headquarters are in Shenzhen in Guangdong province, and since mostly Cantonese is spoken in Guangdong province, Cantonese transcriptions should be here and they should not be removed for inclusivity, representation, and recognition purposes.-->
| y = Tàhng Seun<!--The Tencent headquarters are in Shenzhen in Guangdong province, and since mostly Cantonese is spoken in Guangdong province, Cantonese transcriptions should be here and they should not be removed for inclusivity, representation, and recognition purposes.-->
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|t|ang|4|-|s|eon|3}}<!--The Tencent headquarters are in Shenzhen in Guangdong province, and since mostly Cantonese is spoken in Guangdong province, Cantonese transcriptions should be here and they should not be removed for inclusivity, representation, and recognition purposes.-->
| altname = Tencent Holdings, Ltd.
| s2 = 腾讯控股有限公司
| t2 = 騰訊控股有限公司
| p2 = Téngxùn Kònggǔ Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī
| tp2 = Téng-syùn Kòng-gǔ Yǒu-siàn Gong-sih
| w2 = {{tone superscript|Teng2-hsün4 K'ung4-ku3 Yu3-hsien4 Kung1-szu1}}
| mi2 = {{IPAc-cmn|t|eng|2|.|xun|4|-|k|ong|4|.|g|u|3|-|you|3|.|x|ian|4|-|g|ong|1|.|si|1}}
| bpmf2 = ㄊㄥˊ ㄒㄩㄣˋ ㄎㄨㄥˋ ㄍㄨˇ ㄧㄡˇ ㄒㄧㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄙ<!--Mandarin Zhuyin Fuhao/Bopomofo transcriptions are to be here for accesibility purposes. Taiwanese readers may be more comfortable and familiar with reading Zhuyin Fuhao/Bopomofo transcriptions over other Mandarin transcriptions schemes, as Zhuyin Fuhao/Bopomofo education is compulsory in the Republic of China.-->
| j2 = tang4 seon3 hung3 gu2 jau5 haan6 gung1 si1<!--The Tencent headquarters are in Shenzhen in Guangdong province, and since mostly Cantonese is spoken in Guangdong province, Cantonese transcriptions should be here and they should not be removed for inclusivity, representation, and recognition purposes.-->
| ci2 = {{IPAc-yue|t|ang|4|-|s|eon|3|-|h|ung|3|-|g|u|2|-|j|au|5|-|h|aan|6|-|g|ung|1|-|s|i|1}}<!--The Tencent headquarters are in Shenzhen in Guangdong province, and since mostly Cantonese is spoken in Guangdong province, Cantonese transcriptions should be here and they should not be removed for inclusivity, representation, and recognition purposes.-->
| order = st
}}
'''Tencent Holdings Ltd.''' ({{zh|s=腾讯|p=Téngxùn}}) is a Chinese [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] technology [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] and [[holding company]] headquartered in [[Shenzhen]]. It is one of the highest grossing multimedia companies in the world based on revenue. It is also the world's largest company in the [[video game industry]] based on its equity investments.
Founded in 1998, its subsidiaries globally market various [[Internet]]-related services and products, including in entertainment, [[Artificial intelligence industry in China|artificial intelligence]], and other technology.<ref name="biobk"/> Its twin-skyscraper headquarters, [[Tencent Binhai Mansion|Tencent Seafront Towers]] (also known as Tencent Binhai Mansion) are based in the [[Nanshan District, Shenzhen|Nanshan District]] of Shenzhen.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0408/2021040802046_c.pdf |title=Tencent 2020 Annual Report |website=hkexnews.hk |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211030064519/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0408/2021040802046_c.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2021 }}</ref> In December 2023, architect Büro Ole Scheeren unveiled the latest helix-inspired design of Tencent's new global headquarters in Shenzhen. Known as Tencent Helix, it will accommodate more than 23,000 employees across nearly 500,000 square meters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Holland |first=Oscar |date=2023-12-07 |title='Headquarters of the future': Plans for Chinese tech firm Tencent's vast new campus unveiled  |url=https://edition.cnn.com/style/china-tencent-helix-shenzhen-ole-scheeren/index.html |work=CNN Style |access-date=2024-05-22}}</ref>
Tencent is the world's largest [[video game company|video game vendor]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Inside Tencent's Struggle to Bring World's Hottest Game to China |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-23/fortnite-tencent-and-the-fate-of-world-s-biggest-game-market |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906014007/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-23/fortnite-tencent-and-the-fate-of-world-s-biggest-game-market |archive-date=6 September 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=23 August 2018 }}</ref> as well as one of the [[List of public corporations by market capitalization|largest companies in the world by market capitalization]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=French |first=Sally |title=China has 9 of the world's 20 biggest tech companies |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-has-9-of-the-worlds-20-biggest-tech-companies-2018-05-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919094442/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-has-9-of-the-worlds-20-biggest-tech-companies-2018-05-31 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |access-date=19 September 2018 |newspaper=Marketwatch}}</ref> It is among the largest [[social media]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ballard |first=John |date=24 December 2018 |title=Is Tencent a Buy? |language=en |work=The Motley Fool |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/12/24/is-tencent-a-buy.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=10 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110235011/https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/12/24/is-tencent-a-buy.aspx |archive-date=10 January 2019}}</ref> [[venture capital]], and [[investment corporation]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent's 60,000% Runup Leads to One of the Biggest VC Payoffs Ever |work= Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-22/naspers-sells-10-6-billion-of-tencent-to-fund-investments |url-status=live |access-date=23 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035537/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-22/naspers-sells-10-6-billion-of-tencent-to-fund-investments |archive-date=9 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent, the "SoftBank of China," has invested tens of billions globally since 2015 – Quartz |language=en |work=qz.com |url=https://qz.com/1279190/tencent-the-softbank-of-china-has-invested-tens-of-billions-globally-since-2015/ |access-date=23 September 2018 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208172323/https://qz.com/1279190/tencent-the-softbank-of-china-has-invested-tens-of-billions-globally-since-2015/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its services include social networks, music, web portals, [[E-commerce in China|e-commerce]], mobile games, internet services, payment systems, smartphones, and multiplayer online games.<ref name="CnOb">{{Cite web |date=27 January 2009 |title=Tencent, More Than QQ Instant Messaging In China |url=http://thechinaobserver.com/2009/01/tencent-more-than-qq-instant-messaging-in-global/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426022421/http://thechinaobserver.com/2009/01/tencent-more-than-qq-instant-messaging-in-global/ |archive-date=26 April 2009 |website=thechinaobserver.com}}</ref> It operates the [[instant messenger]]s [[Tencent QQ]] and [[WeChat]], along with the news site QQ.com.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schonfeld |first=Erick |date=27 March 2008 |title=For Chinese IM Portal Tencent, The Money Is In Micro-Transactions |url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/03/27/for-chinese-im-portal-tencent-the-money-is-in-micro-transactions/ |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> The company surpassed a market value of US$500&nbsp;billion in 2018, becoming the first Asian technology company to cross this valuation mark.<ref name="m.scmp.com">{{Cite news |title=Tencent joins US$500 billion valuation line up |url=http://m.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2120712/tencent-breaches-us500b-valuation-shares-rally-above-hk41460 |url-status=live |access-date=20 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824013819/https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2120712/tencent-breaches-us500b-valuation-shares-rally-above-hk41460 |archive-date=24 August 2020}}</ref><ref name="ycharts.com">{{Cite web |title=Tencent Holdings Market Cap (TCEHY) |url=https://ycharts.com/companies/TCEHY/market_cap |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804120037/https://ycharts.com/companies/TCEHY/market_cap |archive-date=4 August 2017 |access-date=22 July 2017 |website=ycharts.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Tech2">{{Cite news |title=Tencent posts 69 percent jump in quarterly net profit; becomes the most valuable company in Asia |work=Tech2 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/tencent-posts-69-percent-jump-in-quarterly-net-profit-becomes-the-most-valuable-company-in-asia-4211333.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117003210/http://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/tencent-posts-69-percent-jump-in-quarterly-net-profit-becomes-the-most-valuable-company-in-asia-4211333.html |archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> It has since then emerged as the most valuable publicly traded company in China, and is the world's tenth most valuable company by market value as of February 2022.<ref name="CNBC">{{Cite news |last=Kharpal |first=Arjun |date=20 November 2017 |title=Tencent becomes first Asian company to be valued over $500 billion |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/20/tencent-first-asian-company-to-be-valued-over-500-billion.html |url-status=live |access-date=20 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120160110/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/20/tencent-first-asian-company-to-be-valued-over-500-billion.html |archive-date=20 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="wsj-tesla-stock" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Companies ranked by Market Cap – CompaniesMarketCap.com|url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/|access-date=21 April 2021|website=companiesmarketcap.com|language=en-us|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414112804/https://companiesmarketcap.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Soon |first=Weilun |date=18 February 2022 |title=Chinese tech giant Tencent jumps onto the list of the world's 10 most valuable companies as Meta slides on stock rout |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tencent-top-10-most-valuable-firms-after-meta-stock-rout-2022-2 |access-date=30 August 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2015, 2018, and 2020, the company was ranked by the [[Boston Consulting Group]] and [[Fast Company]] among the 50 most innovative companies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Borromeo |first=EL |date=5 December 2015 |title=World's 50 Most Innovative Firms Include Tencent, Huawei and Lenovo |work=Yibada English |url=http://en.yibada.com/articles/91891/20151205/world-s-50-innovative-firms-include-tencent-huawei-lenovo.htm |url-status=live |access-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828092522/http://en.yibada.com/articles/91891/20151205/world-s-50-innovative-firms-include-tencent-huawei-lenovo.htm |archive-date=28 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 January 2016 |title=BCG: Tencent is the Most Innovative Company in China in 2015 |work=China Internet Watch |url=https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/16343/most-innovative-companies-2015/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929144448/https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/16343/most-innovative-companies-2015/ |archive-date=29 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ge |first=Yang |date=22 February 2018 |title=Tencent Tops Chinese Leader Board on Global Innovator List |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-02-22/tencent-tops-chinese-leaderboard-on-global-innovator-list-101212655.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131605/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-02-22/tencent-tops-chinese-leaderboard-on-global-innovator-list-101212655.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |website=Caixin Global |language=en}}</ref> Tencent has [[Stakeholder (corporate)|stakes]] in over 600 companies,<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 January 2019 |title=Tencent grows profits with aggressive investment strategy |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/2182193/tencent-plugs-holes-and-boosts-profits-163-new-investments |url-status=live |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116130159/https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/2182193/tencent-plugs-holes-and-boosts-profits-163-new-investments |archive-date=16 January 2019}}</ref> and began focusing on tech start-ups in Asia in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krapels |first=Nicholas |date=17 July 2017 |title=Tencent Vs. Alibaba: Complex Cross-Ownership Structures Cause Criminally Undervalued Chinese Super-Conglomerates |work=Seeking Alpha |url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/4088153-tencent-vs-alibaba-complex-cross-ownership-structures-cause-criminally-undervalued-global |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200930230432/https://seekingalpha.com/article/4088153-tencent-vs-alibaba-complex-cross-ownership-structures-cause-criminally-undervalued-global |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2020 |access-date=13 September 2017}}</ref> [[TechCrunch]] characterized Tencent's investment strategy as letting its portfolio startups operate autonomously.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Liao |first1=Rita |title=Tencent investment stays on game in 2020 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/07/tencent-investment-2020/ |website=TechCrunch |date=8 January 2021 |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208172338/https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/07/tencent-investment-2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Tencent's valuation approached US$1&nbsp;trillion in January 2021 before it plummeted.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 January 2021 |title=Tencent Shares Tumble After Approaching $1 Trillion Valuation |language=en |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-25/tencent-nears-1-trillion-in-latest-sign-of-global-tech-bubble |access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref> Tencent Holdings was ranked 35th on [[Forbes Global 2000]] 2023 list.<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=51d599675ac0|title=The Global 2000 2023|website=Forbes|access-date=2024-02-07|archive-date=2024-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129031905/https://www.forbes.com/lists/global2000/?sh=4f5ab07e5ac0}}</ref>
== History ==
=== 1998–2010: Founding and growth ===
Tencent was founded by [[Pony Ma]], [[Zhang Zhidong (businessman)|Zhang Zhidong]], Xu Chenye, [[Chen Yidan|Charles Chen]] and Zeng Liqing in November 1998<ref name="book">[https://books.google.com/books?id=IWftSWQ30Q8C&q=tencent&pg=PT118 Investing in China: The Emerging Venture Capital Industry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315081525/http://books.google.com/books?id=IWftSWQ30Q8C&pg=PT118&dq=tencent+china&#v=onepage&q=tencent&f=false |date=15 March 2015 }} Jonsson Yinya Li, ''Google Book Search''</ref> as Tencent [[incorporation (business)|Inc]],<ref name="Tencent En">[http://www.tencent.com/en-us/index.shtml Tencent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516200223/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/index.shtml |date=16 May 2012 }} Tencent official site</ref> in the [[Cayman Islands]].<ref name="Tencent 2008 Report">[http://www.tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/rp/2008/attachments/200802.pdf 2008 Annual Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229083632/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/rp/2008/attachments/200802.pdf |date=29 December 2009 }} Tencent Official Site</ref> The name "Tencent" is based on its Chinese name Tengxun ({{zh|links=no|s=腾讯}}), which incorporates part of [[Pony Ma]]'s Chinese name ([[Ma Huateng]]; 马化「腾」) and literally means "galloping fast information".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=19 January 2022|title=Where Alibaba And Tencent Got Their Names|url=https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2014/03/25/where-alibaba-and-tencent-got-their-names|website= [[WBUR]].org|date=25 March 2014 |archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030112035/https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2014/03/25/where-alibaba-and-tencent-got-their-names|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=19 January 2022|title=Interesting facts you never knew about Pony Ma, the force behind Tencent|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/interesting-facts-about-pony-ma-the-ceo-of-chinese-internet-behemoth-tencent-6585070/|date=7 September 2020|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009034614/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/interesting-facts-about-pony-ma-the-ceo-of-chinese-internet-behemoth-tencent-6585070/|url-status=live}}</ref> Initial funding was provided to it by [[venture capital]]ists.<ref name="biobk">[https://books.google.com/books?id=24P3M4hrpWwC&pg=PA111 Biographical Dictionary of New Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders, pp. 111–112] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626170830/http://books.google.com/books?id=24P3M4hrpWwC&pg=PA111|date=26 June 2014}} Ilan Alon and Wenxian Zhang. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2009. Google Book Search.</ref> In February 1999, Tencent's messenger product [[Tencent QQ|OICQ]] was released.<ref name="LangLog">{{Cite web |last=Mair |first=Victor |date=26 April 2011 |title=A New Morpheme in Mandarin |url=http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3111 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319065128/http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3111 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |access-date=14 April 2012 |publisher=Language Log}}</ref> Shortly after, Tencent had the client's name changed to QQ; this was said to be due to a lawsuit threat from [[ICQ]] and its owner [[AOL]]. The company remained unprofitable for the first three years.<ref name="book" />
South African media company [[Naspers]] purchased a 46.5% share of Tencent in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boehler |first=Patrick |date=21 February 2014 |title=South African media group struck gold by taking a chance on Tencent |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1432550/south-african-publishing-group-struck-gold-taking-chance-tencent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830015237/http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1432550/south-african-publishing-group-struck-gold-taking-chance-tencent |archive-date=30 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Birkinbine |first1=Benjamin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-0eTDAAAQBAJ&q=Naspers+purchased+a+46%25+share+of+Tencent+in+2001&pg=PT413 |title=Global Media Giants |last2=Gomez |first2=Rodrigo |last3=Wasko |first3=Janet |date=1 July 2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-40285-5 |language=en |access-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824013849/https://books.google.com/books?id=-0eTDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT413&lpg=PT413&dq=Naspers+purchased+a+46%25+share+of+Tencent+in+2001 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, it owns 26.16%<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prosus Summary consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 |url=https://www.prosus.com/~/media/Files/P/Prosus-CORP/investors/full-year-results-2023/latest-financial-results/prosus-financial-results-fy23-booklet.pdf |access-date=25 September 2023}}</ref> through [[Prosus]], which also owns a stake in Tencent's sister companies, such as [[OLX]], [[VK (company)|VK]], [[Trip.com Group]], [[Delivery Hero]], [[Bykea]], [[Meesho]], [[Stack Overflow]], [[Udemy]], [[Codecademy]], [[Brainly]] and [[PayU]].<ref name = "prosus"/> Tencent Holding Ltd was listed on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] on 16 June 2004,<ref name="Tencent En" /> and it was added as a [[Hang Seng Index Constituent Stock]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hang Seng Indexes |url=http://main.hsi.com.hk/hsicom/announce/20080509e.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031181835/http://main.hsi.com.hk/hsicom/announce/20080509e.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2008 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref>
The company originally derived income solely from advertising and premium users of QQ, who pay monthly fees to receive extras.<ref name="book" /> By 2005, charging for use of QQ mobile, its cellular [[value-added service]], and [[licensing]] its penguin character, which could be found on snack food<ref>[http://news.gotgame.com/qq-games-on-aim-another-penguin-aims-for-the-casual-market/23035/ QQ Games on AIM: Another Penguin Aims for the Casual Market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414165811/http://news.gotgame.com/qq-games-on-aim-another-penguin-aims-for-the-casual-market/23035/ |date=14 April 2009 }} gotgame.com, 13 January 2009</ref> and clothing,<ref name="book" /> had also become income generators.<ref name="book" /> By 2008, Tencent was seeing profit growth from the sale of [[virtual goods]].<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2008-11-26/a-chinese-web-giants-sizzling-successbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice A Chinese Web Giant's Sizzling Success] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708153609/http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/nov2008/gb20081126_827373.htm |date=8 July 2009 }}Bloomberg, 26 November 2008, 9:11&nbsp;am EST</ref>
In June 2007, Tencent established its charity foundation, becoming the first Chinese internet company to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Musaddique |first=Shafi |date=2018-07-06 |title=Charles Chen Yidan: China's most charitable man |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/13/charles-chen-china-most-charitable-man.html |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
While Tencent's services have included online gaming since 2004, around 2007/2008, it rapidly increased its offerings by licensing games.<ref name="games" /> While at least two, ''[[Crossfire (2007 video game)|Crossfire]]'' and ''[[Dungeon Fighter Online]]'', were originally produced by South Korean game developers, Tencent now makes its own games.<ref name="games">{{Cite news |last1=Einhorn |first1=Bruce |last2=Stone |first2=Brad |date=4 August 2011 |title=Tencent: March of the Penguins|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-08-04/tencent-march-of-the-penguins |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113230733/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/tencent-march-of-the-penguins-08042011_page_5.html |archive-date=13 November 2011}}</ref> On 21 January 2011, Tencent launched [[WeChat|Weixin]] ({{lang|zh|微信}}), a [[social media]] [[Mobile app|app]]. Now branded as WeChat, the app is one of the "super apps", due to its wide range of functions and platforms, and its over 1&nbsp;billion monthly active users.<ref name="weixin">{{Cite news |date=13 January 2012 |script-title=zh:微信进行时：厚积薄发的力量 |work=环球企业家 |url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2012-01-13/11256636131.shtml |url-status=live |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116101430/http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2012-01-13/11256636131.shtml |archive-date=16 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 March 2018 |title=WeChat now has over 1 billion active monthly users worldwide · TechNode |work=TechNode |url=https://technode.com/2018/03/05/wechat-1-billion-users/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407153530/https://technode.com/2018/03/05/wechat-1-billion-users/ |archive-date=7 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 December 2016 |title=Is WeChat, the chinese messaging app, set to shake up the tech industry? |work=Panda Security Mediacenter |url=https://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/social-media/wechat-set-shake-tech-industry/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528170542/https://www.pandasecurity.com/mediacenter/social-media/wechat-set-shake-tech-industry/ |archive-date=28 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 January 2017 |title=How WeChat Became China's App For Everything |work=Fast Company |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3065255/china-wechat-tencent-red-envelopes-and-social-money |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103135948/https://www.fastcompany.com/3065255/china-wechat-tencent-red-envelopes-and-social-money |archive-date=3 January 2017}}</ref>
=== 2011–2014: Early investments ===
On 18 February 2011, Tencent acquired a majority of equity interest (92.78%)<ref name="TE11">[http://tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/rp/2011/attachments/201101.pdf Tencent Interim Report 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308024641/http://tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/rp/2011/attachments/201101.pdf |date=8 March 2014 }} Tencent Official Site, Retrieved 22 February 2014.</ref> in [[Riot Games]], developer of [[League of Legends]], for about US$230&nbsp;million. Tencent had already held 22.34% of the equity interest out of a previous investment in 2008. On 16 December 2015, Riot Games sold its remaining equity to Tencent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moser |first=Kelsey |date=16 December 2015 |title=Tencent purchases remaining shares in Riot Games to hold 100% of equity |url=http://www.thescoreesports.com/lol/news/5378 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218044128/http://www.thescoreesports.com/lol/news/5378 |archive-date=18 December 2015 |access-date=17 December 2015 |website=TheScore eSports |publisher=TheScore Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=16 December 2015 |title=Riot Games now owned entirely by Tencent |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/16/10326320/riot-games-now-owned-entirely-by-tencent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218235713/http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/16/10326320/riot-games-now-owned-entirely-by-tencent |archive-date=18 December 2015 |access-date=16 December 2015 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> Tencent acquired a minority stake in [[Epic Games]], developer of franchises like ''[[Fortnite]]'', ''[[Unreal (video game series)|Unreal]]'', ''[[Gears of War (series)|Gears of War]]'' and ''[[Infinity Blade]]'', in June 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gears of War studio sells minority stake to Chinese Internet company |url=http://asia.gamespot.com/news/gears-of-war-studio-sells-minority-stake-to-chinese-internet-company-6383233 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623222738/http://asia.gamespot.com/news/gears-of-war-studio-sells-minority-stake-to-chinese-internet-company-6383233 |archive-date=23 June 2012 |publisher=Gamespot}}</ref> That year, Tencent acquired ZAM Network, parent of [[Wowhead]] and other websites, from [[Brock Pierce]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=20 July 2012 |title=Playsino aims to publish third-party social casino games |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/playsino-aims-to-publish-third-party-social-casino-games/ |access-date=26 December 2022 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tencent in 2013 increased its stake in [[Kingsoft]] Network Technology, a subsidiary of Kingsoft Corporation, to 18%. Tencent previously had a 15.68% stake in the company and raised the stake through a US$46.98&nbsp;million investment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hsu |first=Alex |date=28 June 2013 |title=Baidu Missed Out on Kingsoft Network Investment; Tencent invests USD 46.98 million In US 52 million Round |url=http://bw-original-reporting.tumblr.com/post/54098848628/baidu-missed-out-on-kingsoft-network-investment |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105002650/http://bw-original-reporting.tumblr.com/post/54098848628/baidu-missed-out-on-kingsoft-network-investment |archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> Tencent took part in [[Activision Blizzard]] splitting from [[Vivendi]] as a passive investor in 2013<ref name="joy1">[http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/26/activision-vivendi-split-for-8-billion/ Activision buys itself back from Vivendi for $8 billion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122095015/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/26/activision-vivendi-split-for-8-billion/ |date=22 January 2014 }} joystiq.com, Retrieved 28 February 2014.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2016 |title=BRIEF-Tencent Holdings reports 5.023 pct passive stake in... |work=Reuters |url=http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSFWN19F01H |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131123/http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSFWN19F01H |archive-date=26 February 2017}}</ref> and now owns less than 4.9% of the shares as of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Evelyn |date=9 November 2017 |title=Two tech giants are behind the pick-up in China IPOs on US exchanges |website=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/chinese-ipos-in-the-us-an-indirect-battle-between-alibaba-and-tencent.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112074503/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/chinese-ipos-in-the-us-an-indirect-battle-between-alibaba-and-tencent.html |archive-date=12 November 2017 |access-date=11 November 2017}}</ref> On 17 September 2013, it was announced that Tencent had invested $448&nbsp;million for a minority share in Chinese search engine [[Sogou.com]], the subsidiary of [[Sohu]], Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aitken |first=Todd |date=17 September 2013 |title=Tencent invested $448 million in Chinese search engine Sogou |url=http://ceoworld.biz/2013/09/17/chinese-tencent-is-now-worth-almost-twice-as-much-as-baidu-close-to-facebook |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307050539/http://ceoworld.biz/2013/09/17/chinese-tencent-is-now-worth-almost-twice-as-much-as-baidu-close-to-facebook |archive-date=7 March 2015 |access-date=17 September 2013 |website=CEOWORLD Magazine}}</ref>
On 15 January 2014, Tencent said it would invest HKD 1.5&nbsp;billion (US$193.45&nbsp;million) in logistics and warehouse firm China South City Holdings Ltd to develop its e-commerce and logistics business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 January 2014 |title=Tencent Holdings to invest $193 mln in China South City Holdings |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tencent-chinasouthcity-idUSB9N0K200Q20140115 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924192506/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/15/tencent-chinasouthcity-idUSB9N0K200Q20140115 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=2 July 2017 |website=Reuters |agency=Reuters Editorial}}</ref> On 27 February 2014, Tencent purchased a 20% stake in restaurant ratings and group-buying website Dianping for $400&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2014 |title=Tencent Takes a Stake in Dianping For O2O Plan |url=http://www.iresearchchina.com/views/5493.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040159/http://www.iresearchchina.com/views/5493.html |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> On 10 March 2014, Tencent bought a 15% stake in Chinese e-commerce website [[JD.com]] Inc. by paying cash and handing over its e-commerce businesses Paipai, QQ Wanggou and a stake in Yixun to JD.com to build a stronger competitor to [[Alibaba Group]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Lulu Yilun Chen |date=10 March 2014 |title=Tencent to Buy 15% Stake in JD.com to Boost E-Commerce |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-10/tencent-agrees-to-buy-15-stake-in-jd-com-for-214-7-million.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111020057/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-10/tencent-agrees-to-buy-15-stake-in-jd-com-for-214-7-million.html |archive-date=11 January 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref>
On 22 May 2014, JD.com got listed on NASDAQ and Tencent expanded its stake in the company to 17.43% on a fully diluted basis by investing an additional US$1,325&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://www.tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/rp/2014/attachments/201401.pdf Tencent Interim Report 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023124703/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/rp/2014/attachments/201401.pdf |date=23 October 2014 }} Tencent Official Site, Retrieved 23 October 2014.</ref> On 27 March 2014, it was announced that Tencent had agreed to pay about $500&nbsp;million for a 28 per cent stake in South Korea's CJ Games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lulu Yilun Chen |date=27 March 2014 |title=Tencent to Pay $500 Million for Stake in CJ Games |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-26/tencent-to-pay-500-million-for-stake-in-cj-games.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110035425/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-26/tencent-to-pay-500-million-for-stake-in-cj-games.html |archive-date=10 January 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> On 27 June 2014, Tencent announced that it had agreed to buy a 19.9 per cent stake in Chinese e-commerce website 58.com (WUBA) Inc. for $736&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2014 |title=Tencent Buys 20% of China's 58.com for $736 Million |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-27/tencent-buys-20-of-china-s-58-com-for-736-million.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110114729/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-27/tencent-buys-20-of-china-s-58-com-for-736-million.html |archive-date=10 January 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> On 17 April 2015, Tencent announced it bought an additional $400&nbsp;million worth of shares, rising its stake in the company to about 25%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seshadri |first=Suresh |date=17 April 2015 |title=58.Com to Buy 43% of Rival Ganji as Tencent Raises Stake |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-17/58-com-to-buy-43-of-china-rival-ganji-as-tencent-raises-stake |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813020301/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-17/58-com-to-buy-43-of-china-rival-ganji-as-tencent-raises-stake |archive-date=13 August 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> On 16 October 2014, via its wholly held subsidiary Hongze Lake Investment Ltd, Tencent announced that it had bought a 7% stake in lottery technology firm China LotSynergy Holdings Ltd for HKD 445.5&nbsp;million (US$57.4&nbsp;million).<ref>{{Cite web |title=GGRAsia – Tencent unit buys into lottery provider China LotSynergy |url=http://www.ggrasia.com/tencent-unit-buys-into-lottery-provider-china-lotsynergy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022026/http://www.ggrasia.com/tencent-unit-buys-into-lottery-provider-china-lotsynergy/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref>
On 23 October 2014, Tencent pitched in $145&nbsp;million for a 10 per cent stake in Koudai Gouwu, a Chinese mobile shopping portal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinese mobile shopping app Koudai gets $350M led by Tencent |url=https://www.techinasia.com/chinese-mobile-shopping-app-secures-350m-led-tencent-pose-biggest-threat-alibaba/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905210736/https://www.techinasia.com/chinese-mobile-shopping-app-secures-350m-led-tencent-pose-biggest-threat-alibaba/ |archive-date=5 September 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Tech in Asia}}</ref> In November 2014, the company announced a deal with [[HBO]] which would give it exclusive rights for distribution in China.<ref>Osawa, Juro. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-partners-with-hbo-to-distribute-tv-dramas-movies-online-in-china-1416902891 "Tencent to Distribute HBO Dramas, Movies Online in China"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114750/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-partners-with-hbo-to-distribute-tv-dramas-movies-online-in-china-1416902891 |date=31 March 2017 }}, ''The Wall Street Journal'', 24 November 2014. Accessed 10 August 2015.</ref> On 9 December 2014, Chinese taxi-hailing app Didi Dache announced that it had raised more than $700&nbsp;million in a funding round led by Tencent and Singaporean state investment firm Temasek Holdings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Gillian |date=9 December 2014 |title=Chinese Taxi-Hailing App Didi Raises More Than $700 Million |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/12/09/chinese-taxi-hailing-app-didi-raises-over-700m-led-by-temasek/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723133732/http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/12/09/chinese-taxi-hailing-app-didi-raises-over-700m-led-by-temasek/ |archive-date=23 July 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=WSJ}}</ref> On 29 December 2014, Tencent launched the website for [[WeBank (China)]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bischoff |first=Paul |date=2014-12-29 |title=Tencent ready to launch China's 1st private internet bank, WeBank |url=https://www.techinasia.com/tencent-ready-launch-chinas-1st-private-internet-bank-webank |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=[[Tech in Asia]] |language=en-US}}</ref> China's first online-only bank.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wildau |first=Gabriel |date=5 January 2015 |title=Tencent launches China's first online-only bank |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ccc5a6dc-9488-11e4-82c7-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3RwNcxW9s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213200546/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ccc5a6dc-9488-11e4-82c7-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3RwNcxW9s |archive-date=13 February 2015 |access-date=16 February 2015 |work=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref> Trials for the service commenced on 18 January 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-06 |title=腾讯微众银行将于18日对外试营业 采用邀请制 |trans-title=Tencent WeBank will begin trial operations on the 18th, using an invitation-only system. |url=http://tech.qq.com/a/20150106/009448.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725015131/http://tech.qq.com/a/20150106/009448.htm |archive-date=2015-07-25 |website=Tencent |publisher=[[Southern Metropolis Daily]]}}</ref>
In 2014, Tencent sued its major competitor [[NetEase]] alleging [[Intellectual property in China|copyright]] infringement.<ref name=":Zhang">{{Cite book |last=Zhang |first=Angela Huyue |title=High Wire: How China Regulates Big Tech and Governs Its Economy |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=9780197682258 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780197682258.001.0001}}</ref>{{Rp|page=102}} Tencent used its leverage from the suit to convince NetEase to sublicense music rights from Tencent.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=102}} The sub-licensing arrangement that resulted then became a model used by other online music platforms in China.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=102}}
=== 2015–2020: Continued investments ===
[[File:BYD Song Max facelift.jpg|thumb|[[BYD Auto|BYD]], one of the chief corporate sponsors for Tencent|alt=]]
[[File:Tencent Beijing Office (20220503093228).jpg|thumb|Tencent Beijing office, completed in the late 2010s]]
On 30 January 2015, Tencent announced that it had signed a US$700&nbsp;million deal with the [[National Basketball Association]] to stream American basketball games in China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Novy-Williams |first=Eben |date=30 January 2015 |title=NBA Expands China Business With Five-Year Tencent Extension |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-30/nba-expands-china-business-with-five-year-tencent-extension |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801163321/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-30/nba-expands-china-business-with-five-year-tencent-extension |archive-date=1 August 2015 |access-date=14 August 2015 |website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> Later that year, Chinese automaker [[BYD Auto|BYD]] became the chief corporate sponsor for Tencent's NBA broadcasts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Pu |date=29 December 2015 |title=Chinese auto brand to sponsor Tencent's NBA coverage |url=http://en.ytsports.cn/news-1975.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911214358/http://en.ytsports.cn/news-1975.html |archive-date=11 September 2016 |access-date=29 December 2015 |website=YT Sports}}</ref> On 21 June 2016 Tencent announced a deal to acquire 84.3% of [[Supercell (video game company)|Supercell]], developer of [[Clash of Clans]], with US$8.6&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last="Juro Osawa & Rick Carew |date=21 June 2016 |title=Tencent Seals Deal to Buy 'Clash of Clans' Developer Supercell for $8.6 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-agrees-to-acquire-clash-of-clans-maker-supercell-1466493612 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621140613/http://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-agrees-to-acquire-clash-of-clans-maker-supercell-1466493612 |archive-date=21 June 2016 |access-date=21 June 2016 |website=WSJ}}</ref> In July 2016, Tencent acquired a majority stake in China Music Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=14 July 2016 |title=Tencent to Become China's Top Music Company Following Deal |url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/asia/tencent-to-become-chinas-top-music-company-following-deal-1201814213/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715151255/http://variety.com/2016/biz/asia/tencent-to-become-chinas-top-music-company-following-deal-1201814213/ |archive-date=15 July 2016 |access-date=14 July 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
Private enterprises in China are required to have an in-firm committee or branch of the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) if three or more CCP members are among their employees.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=227}} In 2016, Tencent's CCP branch was recognized as one of the one hundred best such branches in the country.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last1=Marquis |first1=Christopher |url= |title=Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise |last2=Qiao |first2=Kunyuan |date=2022 |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |isbn=978-0-300-26883-6 |location=New Haven |doi=10.2307/j.ctv3006z6k |jstor=j.ctv3006z6k |s2cid=253067190 |oclc=1348572572 |author-link=Christopher Marquis}}</ref>{{Rp|page=230}} It provides communications and education platforms including a CCP activity hall, WeChat channel, and an intranet for CCP members where they can take classes related to government and party policies.<ref name=":02" />{{Rp|page=230}} The Tencent Party Member Activity Center has a dedicated CCP member activity area of more than 6,000 square meters. More than 1 million yuan is allocated for CCP activities per year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-01 |title= |script-title=zh:腾讯科技（深圳）有限公司党委先进事迹 |trans-title=Advanced deeds of the Party Committee of Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. |url=http://dangjian.people.com.cn/n1/2016/0630/c117092-28513326.html |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=[[People's Daily]]}}</ref>
In 2016, Tencent, together with [[Foxconn]] and luxury-car dealer Harmony New Energy Auto founded [[Future Mobility]], a car startup (now defunct) that aimed to sell all-electric fully autonomous premium cars.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 July 2016 |title=Tencent-Backed Company Aims to Launch Smart-Electric Cars Before 2020 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-backed-company-aims-to-launch-smart-electric-cars-before-2020-1468302895 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331030437/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-backed-company-aims-to-launch-smart-electric-cars-before-2020-1468302895 |archive-date=31 March 2017 |access-date=11 March 2017 |via= WSJ.com}}</ref> On 28 March 2017, [[Tesla, Inc.]] announced Tencent had purchased a 5% stake in Tesla for US$1.78&nbsp;billion, the automotive control systems of which it subsequently successfully performed penetration-testing until 2019.<ref name="wsj-tesla-stock">{{Cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Tim |last2=Steele |first2=Anne |date=29 March 2017 |title=Tesla Gets Backing of Chinese Internet Giant Tencent |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |location=[[New York City]], [[United States]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-tencent-buys-5-stake-in-tesla-1490702095?tesla=y |url-status=live |access-date=30 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330040236/https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-tencent-buys-5-stake-in-tesla-1490702095?tesla=y |archive-date=30 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sadam |first=Rishika |date=28 March 2017 |title=Chinese tech giant Tencent takes 5 percent stake in Tesla |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-stake-tencent-holdings-idUSKBN16Z1FJ |url-status=live |access-date=28 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328125515/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-stake-tencent-holdings-idUSKBN16Z1FJ |archive-date=28 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ingé |last=Lamprecht |title=Naspers and Tesla: Invest or ignore? |work=Moneyweb |date=25 April 2018 |url=https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/naspers-and-tesla-invest-or-ignore/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425011014/https://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/naspers-and-tesla-invest-or-ignore/ |archive-date=25 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In a "direct challenge to Chinese search engine [[Baidu]]," in May 2017, Tencent entered news feed and search functions for its [[WeChat]] app, which the ''Financial Times'' reported was used by 770 million people at the time.<ref name="ft-yang">{{Cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Yuang |last2=Yang |first2=Yingzhi |date=18 May 2017 |title=Tencent pushes into news feed and search in challenge to Baidu |work=[[Financial Times]] |location=[[United Kingdom]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/59ca05e8-3ba6-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23 |url-status=live |access-date=18 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521055700/https://www.ft.com/content/59ca05e8-3ba6-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23 |archive-date=21 May 2017}}</ref>
In May 2017, Tencent surpassed [[Wells Fargo]] to enter the world's top 10 most valuable companies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pham |first=Sherisse |date=3 May 2017 |title=China's Tencent is now worth $300 billion |work=CNNMoney |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/05/03/investing/china-tencent-300-billion-company/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505064723/http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/03/investing/china-tencent-300-billion-company/ |archive-date=5 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tech giant Tencent's market cap swells into world's top 10 |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world/china-watch/business/tech-giant-tencent-market-world-10th/ |url-status=dead |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103135244/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world/china-watch/business/tech-giant-tencent-market-world-10th/ |archive-date=3 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent shares continue to soar, pushing Hang Seng higher |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2095292/hong-kong-stocks-seen-higher-positive-us-lead |url-status=live |access-date=23 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523074652/http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2095292/hong-kong-stocks-seen-higher-positive-us-lead |archive-date=23 May 2017}}</ref> Tencent has also entered an agreement with the Wuhu City Council to build the world's first [[eSports]] town in the city, which comprises an eSports theme park, eSports university, a cultural and creative park, an animation industrial park, creative block, tech entrepreneurial community and Tencent Cloud's data center. The site will be used for the education and accommodation of future eSports players, as well as hosting national eSports events and serving as a hub for Tencent's game development. Aside from Wuhu, another eSports theme park is planned in [[Chengdu]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent are going to build an "esports town" |work=PCGamesN |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/tencent-esports-town |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923002141/https://www.pcgamesn.com/league-of-legends/tencent-esports-town |archive-date=23 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Chinese internet giant Tencent is building an eSports park |work=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/16/chinese-internet-giant-tencent-is-building-an-esports-park/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922195136/https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/16/chinese-internet-giant-tencent-is-building-an-esports-park/ |archive-date=22 September 2017}}</ref>
In June 2017, Tencent became the 8th most valuable company in BrandZ's Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands, signalling its growing influence globally as well as the rise of Chinese brands.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent ranked eighth most valuable brand in the world as Chinese brands storm top 100 list |language=en |work=The Drum |url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/06/08/tencent-ranked-eighth-most-valuable-brand-the-world-chinese-brands-storm-top-100 |url-status=live |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808194110/http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/06/08/tencent-ranked-eighth-most-valuable-brand-the-world-chinese-brands-storm-top-100 |archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Suruga |first=Tsubasa |date=8 June 2017 |title=China's Tencent cracks top 10 'most valuable' brands list |work=Nikkei Asian Review |url=http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/China-s-Tencent-cracks-top-10-most-valuable-brands-list |url-status=live |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608104525/http://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Trends/China-s-Tencent-cracks-top-10-most-valuable-brands-list |archive-date=8 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent ranks in top 10 of global brands, signals China's emergence |work=techwireasia.com |url=http://techwireasia.com/2017/06/tencent-ranks-top-10-global-brands-signals-chinas-emergence/#7OQrVXeGYK2PfShC.97 |url-status=live |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607030548/http://techwireasia.com/2017/06/tencent-ranks-top-10-global-brands-signals-chinas-emergence/#7OQrVXeGYK2PfShC.97 |archive-date=7 June 2017}}</ref> Alibaba overtook Tencent as Asia's most valuable company as its stocks surged after the company hosted its 2017 Investor's day.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Alibaba is Asia's No. 1 company as value soars to US$360 billion |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/2097570/alibabas-market-value-soars-record-us360-billion-bullish-2018-sales |url-status=live |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609110911/http://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/2097570/alibabas-market-value-soars-record-us360-billion-bullish-2018-sales |archive-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> The company has also developed its own voice assistant Xiaowei, and was in the midst of discussion to acquire [[Rovio Entertainment]], the developer of [[Angry Birds]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Tech in Asia – Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem |work= techinasia.com |url=https://www.techinasia.com/tencent-voice-assistant-launch |url-status=live |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808194603/https://www.techinasia.com/tencent-voice-assistant-launch |archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |title=Tencent eyes 'Angry Birds' maker Rovio to strengthen its mobile gaming dominance |language=en |work=Business Insider |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tencent-angry-birds-rovio-2017-6?IR=T&r=US&IR=T |url-status=live |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808194807/http://www.businessinsider.com/tencent-angry-birds-rovio-2017-6?IR=T&r=US&IR=T |archive-date=8 August 2017}}</ref> At the same time, Tencent introduced its mini-programs feature that allows smartphone users to access mobile apps across the globe on WeChat without downloading them.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 June 2017 |title=Tencent Dominates in China. Next Challenge Is Rest of the World |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-06-28/tencent-rules-china-the-problem-is-the-rest-of-the-world |url-status=live |access-date=19 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919093218/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-06-28/tencent-rules-china-the-problem-is-the-rest-of-the-world |archive-date=19 September 2017}}</ref>
In July 2017, Tencent bought a 9% share in [[Frontier Developments]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent Buys 3.39 Million New Shares in British Video-Game Maker Frontier Developments for $23 Million |url=https://k.caixinglobal.com//web/detail_19658 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131609/https://k.caixinglobal.com//web/detail_19658 |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=15 August 2018 |website=k.caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> the creator of the ''[[Elite: Dangerous]]'' and ''[[Planet Coaster]]'' franchises; as well as developer for ''[[Rollercoaster Tycoon]]'' 2 & 3.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 July 2017 |title=Chinese game giant Tencent buys 9% of Elite Dangerous dev Frontier |work=[[Eurogamer]] |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-07-28-chinese-game-giant-tencent-buys-9-percent-of-elite-dangerous-dev-frontier |url-status=live |access-date=28 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728202935/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-07-28-chinese-game-giant-tencent-buys-9-percent-of-elite-dangerous-dev-frontier |archive-date=28 July 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, after Tencent announced the second quarter 2016 financial report, the stock price rose by 6.2% in the Hong Kong stock market, and the market value reached US$429&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news |title=There's a new king of Chinese tech |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tencent-replaces-jack-mas-alibaba-as-chinas-biggest-tech-company-2016-8 |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024171931/http://uk.businessinsider.com/tencent-replaces-jack-mas-alibaba-as-chinas-biggest-tech-company-2016-8 |archive-date=24 October 2017}}</ref> Tencent became the second Asian company after Alibaba Group to surpass US$400&nbsp;billion market cap.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 2017 |title=Tencent Q2'17 results show explosive growth |work=WalktheChat |url=https://walkthechat.com/tencent-q217-results-show-explosive-growth/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918020925/https://walkthechat.com/tencent-q217-results-show-explosive-growth/ |archive-date=18 September 2017}}</ref> Tencent has also created an alliance to its own [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] self-driving program, similar to Baidu's '''Apollo Project''', recruiting numerous industry players in the [[automotive industry]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent joins the fray with Baidu in AI apps for self-driving cars |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2108489/tencent-forms-alliance-push-ai-applications-self-driving |url-status=live |access-date=21 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921195656/http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2108489/tencent-forms-alliance-push-ai-applications-self-driving |archive-date=21 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent and Guangzhou team up to develop smart cars |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a145024c-9d17-11e7-8cd4-932067fbf946 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922001812/https://www.ft.com/content/a145024c-9d17-11e7-8cd4-932067fbf946 |archive-date=22 September 2017}}</ref> It is also collaborating with [[L'Oréal]], the world's largest cosmetics company, to explore digital marketing under the Joint Business Partnership (JBP) agreement.<ref>{{Cite news |title=When Beauty meets MarTech – L'OREAL and Tencent to Unleash Marketing Innovations |work=AsiaOne |url=http://www.asiaone.com/business/when-beauty-meets-martech--loreal-and-tencent-to-unleash-marketing-innovations |url-status=live |access-date=23 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923193828/http://www.asiaone.com/business/when-beauty-meets-martech--loreal-and-tencent-to-unleash-marketing-innovations |archive-date=23 September 2017}}</ref>
According to a report by Sina Tech in October 2017, Tencent employed over 7,000 members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and that CCP members took a leading role in the development of WeChat. "With over 7,000 CCP members, accounting for approximately 23% of the total workforce, and more than 60% of whom are core technical personnel, the number of CCP members at Tencent is increasing by nearly a thousand every year. In Tencent, a leading internet company, CCP members are becoming the main driving force in shaping the company's development direction."<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 October 2017 |title=Tencent: The company has more than 7,000 party members who have led the development of flagship products such as WeChat (腾讯：公司党员超7000人，带头开发微信等代表性产品) |work=Sina Tech (新浪科技) |url=https://tech.sina.cn/2017-10-14/detail-ifymvuys9864621.d.html |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230323012647/https://tech.sina.cn/2017-10-14/detail-ifymvuys9864621.d.html?from=wap |archive-date=23 March 2023}}</ref>
In November 2017, Tencent revealed that it had purchased a 12% stake in [[Snap Inc.]] in the open market, with plans to help establish [[Snapchat]] as a gaming platform.<ref name="wsj-ma">{{Cite news |last1=Ma |first1=Wayne |last2=Russolillo |first2=Steven |date=8 November 2017 |title=Tencent Continues to Snap Up Stakes in U.S. Startups |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |location=New York City, United States |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-continues-to-snap-up-stakes-in-u-s-startups-1510187357?tesla=y |url-status=live |access-date=13 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113045358/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-continues-to-snap-up-stakes-in-u-s-startups-1510187357?tesla=y |archive-date=13 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=China's Tencent bought 12 percent of Snap – and everything else we learned from Snap's earnings report |work=Recode |url=https://www.recode.net/2017/11/8/16624020/tencent-snap-snapchat-investment-spectacles-tim-sehn-redesign-earnings |url-status=live |access-date=9 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109025907/https://www.recode.net/2017/11/8/16624020/tencent-snap-snapchat-investment-spectacles-tim-sehn-redesign-earnings |archive-date=9 November 2017}}</ref> Tencent remained the largest video game publisher in the world by revenue, and had a market capitalisation of around $475&nbsp;billion. In the same month, Tencent announced that WeChat reached 980 million [[monthly active users]],<ref name="Bloomberg.com">{{Cite news |date=15 November 2017 |title=Tencent's Profit Is Better Than Expected |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-15/tencent-s-profit-beats-as-ad-sales-growth-complements-gaming |url-status=live |access-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115135426/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-15/tencent-s-profit-beats-as-ad-sales-growth-complements-gaming |archive-date=15 November 2017}}</ref> and said to be earmarking billions of dollars to amass a catalogue of user-generated content, in competition with [[YouTube]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 November 2017 |title=Tencent plans $US3bn drive to ramp up YouTube-style content |work=Financial Review |url=http://www.afr.com/news/world/tencent-plans-us3bn-drive-to-ramp-up-youtubestyle-content-20171116-gzmu0q |url-status=live |access-date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116132228/http://www.afr.com/news/world/tencent-plans-us3bn-drive-to-ramp-up-youtubestyle-content-20171116-gzmu0q |archive-date=16 November 2017}}</ref> The company became the first Asian company to cross US$500&nbsp;billion valuation, surpassing Facebook to enter the top 5 list of the world's biggest firms.<ref name="CNBC" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017 |title=Tencent on global path as it surpasses Facebook in valuation |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-strategy/tencent-on-global-path-as-it-surpasses-facebook-in-valuation-idUSKBN1DK1S1 |url-status=live |access-date=21 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121073237/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-strategy/tencent-on-global-path-as-it-surpasses-facebook-in-valuation-idUSKBN1DK1S1 |archive-date=21 November 2017}}</ref>
In January 2018, Tencent and [[The Lego Group]], the world's largest toy company, teamed up to jointly develop online games and potentially a social network aimed at children.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 January 2018 |title=Lego teams up with Chinese internet giant Tencent |work=Business Insider Singapore |agency=Reuters |url=http://www.businessinsider.sg/lego-teams-up-with-chinese-internet-giant-tencent/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115121955/http://www.businessinsider.sg/lego-teams-up-with-chinese-internet-giant-tencent/ |archive-date=15 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lego Builds Partnership With Tencent |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-16/lego-builds-partnership-with-tencent-101198421.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131611/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-16/lego-builds-partnership-with-tencent-101198421.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=15 August 2018 |website= caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> It also launched its first unmanned shop in [[Shanghai]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent beats Amazon to launch unmanned shop in Shanghai |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2130062/tencent-beats-amazon-launch-unmanned-shop-lags-other-chinese-tech |url-status=live |access-date=22 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122175729/http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2130062/tencent-beats-amazon-launch-unmanned-shop-lags-other-chinese-tech |archive-date=22 January 2018}}</ref> Tencent led a US$5.2&nbsp;billion investment in [[Wanda Group|Wanda Commercial]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wanda Sells Properties, Adds Investors |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-30/wanda-sells-properties-adds-investors-101205014.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815164125/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-30/wanda-sells-properties-adds-investors-101205014.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=15 August 2018 |website= caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> together with [[JD.com]], [[Sunac]] and [[Suning Commerce Group|Suning Group]], to acquire shares in the conglomerate. Wanda Commercial was renamed Wanda Commercial Management Group.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 January 2018 |title=Tencent Leads $5.4 Billion Investment in Wanda Commercial |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-29/tencent-leads-5-4-billion-investment-in-wanda-commercial |url-status=live |access-date=29 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129174429/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-29/tencent-leads-5-4-billion-investment-in-wanda-commercial |archive-date=29 January 2018}}</ref> Tencent bought a 5% to 10% minority stake in [[Skydance Media]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Faughnder |first= Ryan |date=26 January 2018 |title=China's Tencent acquires minority stake in Skydance Media |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tencent-skydance-20180125-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180209040202/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tencent-skydance-20180125-story.html |archive-date=9 February 2018 |access-date=8 February 2018 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent Tangos With Hollywood's Skydance Media |url= https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-26/tencent-tangos-with-hollywoods-skydance-media-101203522.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131458/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-26/tencent-tangos-with-hollywoods-skydance-media-101203522.html |archive-date= 15 August 2018 |access-date=15 August 2018 |website= caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> On 23 January 2018, Tencent and [[Carrefour]] reached strategic co-operation agreement in China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=腾讯、永辉与家乐福达成战略合作，考虑投资家乐福中国业务_10%公司_澎湃新闻-The Paper |url= http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1963631 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180309073926/http://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1963631 |archive-date=9 March 2018 |access-date=9 March 2018 |website= thepaper.cn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Carrefour Signs Cooperation Agreement With Tencent |url=https://k.caixinglobal.com//web/detail_22538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815134455/https://k.caixinglobal.com//web/detail_22538 |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=15 August 2018 |website=k.caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Carrefour seeks help from Chinese internet giant to stem sales slump |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2130225/tencent-may-invest-carrefour-part-partnership-deal-internet-giants-extend |url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306023629/http://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2130225/tencent-may-invest-carrefour-part-partnership-deal-internet-giants-extend |archive-date=6 March 2018}}</ref>
On 15 August 2018, Tencent reported a profit decline in the second quarter of 2018, ending a growth streak of more than a decade, as investment gains slid and the government's scrutiny of the gaming business weighed on the company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent Posts Rare Profit Drop |url= https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-08-16/tencent-posts-rare-profit-drop-101315435.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180816130016/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-08-16/tencent-posts-rare-profit-drop-101315435.html |archive-date=16 August 2018 |access-date=16 August 2018 |website= caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> Shares of Tencent fell 3% in morning trade in Hong Kong after the rare drop in quarterly profit was reported, extending a slide that has wiped nearly $50&nbsp;billion in market value from the company in that week.<ref name="caixinglobal.com">{{Cite web |title=China Techs Take Beating After Tencent Profit Shrinks |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-08-16/china-techs-take-beating-after-tencent-profit-shrinks-101315650.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816125800/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-08-16/china-techs-take-beating-after-tencent-profit-shrinks-101315650.html |archive-date=16 August 2018 |access-date=16 August 2018 |website= caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> The sell-off dragged down many other Chinese internet stocks as well.<ref name="caixinglobal.com" /> On 6 September 2018, [[Luckin Coffee]] signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Tencent.<ref>[https://finance.ifeng.com/a/20180907/16491310_0.shtml 瑞幸咖啡与腾讯签署战略合作 中国咖啡市场及发展前景分析] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929080403/https://finance.ifeng.com/a/20180907/16491310_0.shtml |date=29 September 2018 }} 凤凰网，7 September 2018.</ref><ref>[http://www.sohu.com/a/252267786_114774 中国咖啡市场白热化 瑞幸咖啡与腾讯达成战略合作] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929114630/http://www.sohu.com/a/252267786_114774 |date=29 September 2018 }} 搜狐网，6 September 2018.</ref>
China's government designated Tencent as one of its "AI [[National champions|champions]]" in 2018.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=281}}
In November 2018, Tencent Charity Foundation donated RMB$1 billion to establish the Xplorer Prize award for outstanding young scientists in areas of basic science and cutting-edge technologies.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-07 |title=Tencent's new fund aims to give Chinese scientists freedom to explore |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3184495/tencent-launches-us15-billion-fund-give-chinese-scientists |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref>
In October 2019, Tencent began sending out refunds to customers after cancelling the broadcast of NBA games in response to the [[Houston Rockets]] general manager [[Daryl Morey]]'s social media comments in support of [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests|protests in Hong Kong]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 October 2019 |title=NBA fans in China seek refund from Tencent as streaming suspended |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-basketball-tencent-holdings/nba-fans-in-china-seek-refund-from-tencent-as-streaming-suspended-idUSKBN1WO0FL |url-status=live |access-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009170252/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-basketball-tencent-holdings/nba-fans-in-china-seek-refund-from-tencent-as-streaming-suspended-idUSKBN1WO0FL |archive-date=9 October 2019}}</ref>
In May 2020, Tencent purchased the rights to create ''System Shock 3'' and any further sequels from [[OtherSide Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=14 March 2022 |title=System Shock 3 is officially dead at Warren Spector's studio |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/03/warren-spectors-studio-hasnt-worked-on-system-shock-3-for-years/ |access-date=11 October 2023 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> On 29 June 2020, Tencent acquired the video-on-demand service [[iflix]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent acquires the 'Netflix of Asia |url=https://telecoms.com/505241/tencent-acquires-the-netflix-of-asia/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630065721/https://telecoms.com/505241/tencent-acquires-the-netflix-of-asia/ |archive-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> In September 2020, Tencent picked Singapore as its hub in Asia, joining rivals [[ByteDance]] and Alibaba in the race to reinforce their presence closer to home after complications in India and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2020 |title=Tencent picks Singapore as its Asia hub after US, India bans |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/tencent-picks-singapore-as-its-asia-hub-after-us-india-bans |access-date=16 September 2020 |website=The Business Times |language=en |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022001452/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/tencent-picks-singapore-as-its-asia-hub-after-us-india-bans |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent Picks Singapore as Asia Hub After India, U.S. Bans |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-14/tencent-picks-singapore-as-asia-hub-after-india-u-s-bans |access-date=16 September 2020 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=14 September 2020 |archive-date=8 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108025743/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-14/tencent-picks-singapore-as-asia-hub-after-india-u-s-bans |url-status=live }}</ref> Lazy Audio was acquired from Shenzhen Lanren Online Technology Co for 2.7 billion yuan in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2021 |title=China's Tencent buys audiobook platform Lazy Audio for $417 million |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/chinas-tencent-buys-audiobook-platform-lazy-audio-417-million-2021-01-15/}}</ref>
=== 2021–present: Regulatory scrutiny ===
In July 2021, China's antitrust regulator formally blocked Tencent's plan to merge China's top two [[video game streaming]] sites, [[Huya Live]] and [[DouYu]], after it had failed to come up with sufficient remedies to meet the [[State Administration for Market Regulation|SAMR]]'s requirements on giving up exclusive rights. This comes after the company recently withdrew the merger application for antitrust review and refiled it after SAMR told the company it could not complete the review of the merger within 180 days since its first filing. Tencent's plan to take [[search engine]] [[Sogou]] private was approved by the SAMR.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chinese antitrust regulator to block Tencent's videogaming merger - sources|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/chinese-antitrust-regulator-to-block-tencent-s-videogaming-merger---sources-15158614|access-date=5 July 2021|website= channelnewsasia.com|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705091212/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/chinese-antitrust-regulator-to-block-tencent-s-videogaming-merger---sources-15158614|url-status=live}}</ref> Tencent later announced too its intention to take DouYu private, in part due to the unsuccessful merger, but also due to lacklustre business performance and disagreements over strategy among company executives. Tencent is currently the largest stakeholder in DouYu with a 37% stake.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 January 2022|title=Tencent to take Nasdaq-listed video game streaming site Douyu private|url=https://kr-asia.com/tencent-to-take-nasdaq-listed-video-game-streaming-site-douyu-private|access-date=7 February 2022|website=KrASIA|language=en|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207061619/https://kr-asia.com/tencent-to-take-nasdaq-listed-video-game-streaming-site-douyu-private|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tencent will take US-listed streamer DouYu private: sources|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/China-tech/Tencent-will-take-US-listed-streamer-DouYu-private-sources|access-date=7 February 2022|website=Nikkei Asia|language=en-GB|archive-date=3 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203090540/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/China-tech/Tencent-will-take-US-listed-streamer-DouYu-private-sources|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 December 2021, Tencent announced it had acquired Slamfire Inc. and its subsidiary [[Turtle Rock Studios]], the developer behind [[Left 4 Dead]] and [[Back 4 Blood]].<ref name="auto4">{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211217005008/en/|title=Tencent Acquires Turtle Rock Studios|website=[[Business Wire]]|date=17 December 2021|accessdate=17 December 2021|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217174910/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211217005008/en/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2022, reports emerged that Tencent was one of the major tech conglomerates to receive a fine from the SAMR for failing to report their merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in advance. According to [[:zh:中华人民共和国反垄断法|China's antitrust law]], official approval is required before the completion of a M&A deal if the combined annual revenue of all entities involved is at least RMB 10&nbsp;billion (US$1.57&nbsp;billion), and at least two entities have at least RMB 400 million (US$62.7&nbsp;million) in annual revenue. Of the 13 deals cited in total by the SAMR, each carried a fine of RMB 500,000 (US$78,700) and Tencent received a total fine of RMB 4.5&nbsp;million (US$710,000) for its involvement in nine deals.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 January 2022|title=China's market regulator fines Tencent, Alibaba, others for M&A deals|url=https://kr-asia.com/chinas-market-regulator-fines-tencent-alibaba-others-for-ma-deals|access-date=11 January 2022|website=KrASIA|language=en|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111064702/https://kr-asia.com/chinas-market-regulator-fines-tencent-alibaba-others-for-ma-deals|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 11 January 2022, it was announced that Tencent was in talks to acquire Xiaomi-backed [[:zh:黑鲨游戏手机|Black Shark]], one of the largest gaming smartphone makers in China. The acquisition would have been Tencent's first in a hardware maker and would have overseen Black Shark's transition into a manufacturer of VR headsets to support Tencent's plans for its metaverse business in the future. Reports initially suggested that Black Shark would be acquired for RMB 2.7&nbsp;billion (US$420&nbsp;million), although Tencent walked away from the deal due to regulatory scrutiny of metaverse businesses in China.<ref>{{Cite web|title=36氪独家丨腾讯迈出元宇宙关键一步：拟收购游戏手机厂商黑鲨_详细解读_最新资讯_热点事件_36氪|url=http://36kr.com/p/1563748312534921|access-date=11 January 2022|website=36kr.com|date=10 January 2022|archive-date=11 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111133934/https://36kr.com/p/1563748312534921|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Jiaxing |date=12 May 2022 |title=Tencent walks away from deal to buy Black Shark gaming phone |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3177509/tencent-walks-away-deal-buy-black-shark-gaming-phone-brand-regulatory |access-date=30 August 2022 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2022, Tencent posted its slowest revenue gain since going public in 2004, partly caused by a 15% decrease in advertising revenue. The decline was attributed to the pandemic and tighter regulations imposed by the Chinese government.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title=Tencent's ad sales slump, battered by COVID-19 lockdowns and regulatory tightening |url=https://kr-asia.com/tencents-ad-sales-slump-battered-by-covid-19-lockdowns-and-regulatory-tightening |access-date=30 August 2022 |website=KrASIA |language=en}}</ref> In September 2022, Tencent acquired a 49.9% stake and 5% voting rights in Guillemot Brothers Limited, [[Ubisoft]]'s parent company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Gavin |date=6 September 2022 |title=Tencent Acquires 49.9% "Minority Passive Stake" In Ubisoft Founder's Company |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/09/tencent-acquires-49-9percent-minority-passive-stake-in-ubisoft-founders-company |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Ule |date=7 September 2022 |title=Tencent Acquires a 49% Economic Stake at Ubisoft; Ubisoft's Stock Price Increases 14% |url=https://wccftech.com/tencent-acquires-a-49-economic-stake-at-ubisoft-ubisofts-stock-price-increases-14/ |access-date=7 September 2022 |website=Wccftech |language=en-US}}</ref> On 16 September 2022, Tencent took a minority stake in Mordhau studio Triternion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tencent-takes-minority-stake-in-mordhau-studio-triternion|title=Tencent takes minority stake in Mordhau studio Triternion|date=16 September 2022 }}</ref>
In November 2022, Tencent announced that it would divest the majority of its US$20.3&nbsp;billion stake in [[Meituan]] through a dividend distribution to shareholders, in part due to China's earlier regulatory crackdown on tech giants.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ye |first=Josh |date=16 November 2022 |title=Tencent to hand $20 bln Meituan stake to shareholders as sales slip |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/tencent-posts-q3-revenue-drop-chinas-economic-slowdown-crackdown-bite-2022-11-16/ |access-date=25 November 2022}}</ref> In January 2023, [[OpenSecrets]] reported that Tencent spent over $6.3&nbsp;million lobbying the U.S. federal government after coming under greater regulatory scrutiny in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ratanpal |first=Harshawn |date=7 February 2023 |title=After U.S. scrutiny of WeChat, Chinese conglomerate Tencent Holdings spent millions on federal lobbying |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2023/02/after-us-scrutiny-of-wechat-chinese-conglomerate-tencent-holdings-spent-millions-on-federal-lobbying/ |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |language=en}}</ref> By January 2023, Tencent had sold its share in Tesla.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sawdah |last=Bhaimiya |title=Tesla will 'keep blowing our minds' despite Elon Musk's preoccupation with Twitter, an executive at Chinese tech giant Tencent said |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=20 January 2023 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-tesla-will-keep-blowing-our-minds-tencent-executive-2023-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120162612/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-tesla-will-keep-blowing-our-minds-tencent-executive-2023-1 |archive-date=20 January 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Majority owned subsidiary China Literature acquired Tencent Animation and Comics in December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nawotka |first=Ed |date=December 13, 2023 |title=China Literature Buys Tencent Animation and Comics |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/93939-china-literature-buys-tencent-animation-and-comics.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref>
On 22 December 2023, the Chinese government's regulations to curb online gaming cost Tencent $46 Billion in Market Capitalisation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/chinese-game-stocks-fall-after-china-proposes-online-game-regulations-9f7da96c?mod=Searchresults_pos2&page=1|title=Tencent Sheds $46 Billion in Market Cap After China Proposes Online-Gaming Curbs|last=Woo|first=Stu|date=December 22, 2023|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=January 3, 2024|language=en}}</ref> Later, on 27 December 2023, the first of trading after the Chinese government vowed to make improvements to the proposed gaming rules, the firm's stock rose by 5%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/tencent-netease-shares-rebound-after-regulators-vow-improve-proposed-rules-2023-12-27/|title=Tencent shares regain some ground after regulator appears to soften gaming stance|last=Xue|first=Jason|date=December 27, 2023|work=Reuters|access-date=January 8, 2024|language=en}}</ref>
Also in December 2023, Tencent accelerated the pace of [[Share repurchase|buybacks]], increasing the pace of daily purchases to about [[Hong Kong dollar|HK]]$1 billion (with an average of HK$375 million per day) and made a record HK$10 billion [[Share (finance)|share]] purchase.<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/telcos-media-tech/tencent-buybacks-hit-record-december-after-china-watchdog-roils|title=Tencent buybacks hit record in December after China watchdog roils markets|website=The Business Times|date=4 January 2024 |access-date=2024-02-25|archive-date=2024-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225191838/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/telcos-media-tech/tencent-buybacks-hit-record-december-after-china-watchdog-roils}}</ref>
In March 2024, the firm uploaded its revenue report for the 4th quarter of the year 2023, recording a surprising 7% rise in the fourth-quarter revenue, slightly missing the expected mark.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinas-tencent-posts-weaker-than-expected-revenue-growth-2024-03-20/#:~:text=HONG%20KONG%2C%20March%2020%20|title=China's Tencent posts weak revenue growth, plans to double buybacks|last=Ye|first=Josh|date=March 21, 2024|work=Reuters|access-date=June 14, 2024|language=en}}</ref>
== Products and services ==
=== Social media ===
Launched in February 1999,<ref name="Tencent Fact Sheet">{{cite web| url= http://www.tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/fs/attachments/investorintro.pdf | title= Investor Fact Sheet| website= tencent.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102022958/http://tencent.com/en-us/content/ir/fs/attachments/investorintro.pdf |archivedate=2 January 2010 | access-date= }}</ref> [[Tencent QQ]] is Tencent's first and most notable product, QQ is one of the most popular [[instant messaging]] platforms in its home market.<ref name="Indiatimes">{{Cite web |title=Technology |url= http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Meet_Chinas_Google_trouncer/articleshow/1568771.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090227183325/http://infotech.indiatimes.com/Meet_Chinas_Google_trouncer/articleshow/1568771.cms |archive-date=27 February 2009 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> As of 31 December 2010, there were 647.6&nbsp;million active Tencent QQ IM user accounts,<ref name="Annual Report" /> making Tencent QQ the world's largest online community at the time. The number of QQ accounts connected simultaneously has, at times, exceeded 100 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=腾讯QQ最新24小时在线数据 |url=http://im.qq.com/online.shtml#qq |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708144729/http://im.qq.com/online.shtml#qq |archive-date=8 July 2011 |access-date=14 January 2011 |publisher=| website= im.qq.com}}</ref> While the IM service itself is free, a fee was being charged for mobile messaging as of 2006.<ref name="economist">{{cite news| url= https://www.economist.com/world/displaystory.cfm?story_id=6850080 |title= The party, the people and the power of cyber-talk| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211172912/http://www.economist.com/world/displaystory.cfm?story_id=6850080 |archivedate=11 December 2008 | website= economist.com| date= 27 April 2006| access-date= }}</ref> Tencent also created QQ International, which is an English version of QQ that allows communication with mainland accounts; QQi is available for Windows and macOS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QQ International |url=http://www.imqq.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206085430/http://imqq.com/ |archive-date=6 December 2012 |publisher=Tencent| website= imqq.com |access-date= 23 November 2012}}</ref> In 2005, Tencent launched [[Qzone]], a social networking/blogging service integrated within QQ. Qzone has become one of the largest social networking services in China, with a user base of 645 million in 2014.<ref name="Tencent 2008 Report" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tech in Asia – Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem |url=https://www.techinasia.com/tencent-owns-3-worlds-5-biggest-social-networks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310071325/https://www.techinasia.com/tencent-owns-3-worlds-5-biggest-social-networks |archive-date=10 March 2016 |access-date=28 February 2019 |website= techinasia.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 10 April 2010, Tencent launched [[Tencent Weibo]], a [[microblogging]] service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=配合腾讯微博公测 QQ2010 Beta3试用版发布-QQ, 2010, beta, 微博 – 快科技(原驱动之家)--全球最新科技资讯专业发布平台 |url=http://news.mydrivers.com/1/160/160157.htm |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190323142128/http://news.mydrivers.com/1/160/160157.htm |archive-date=23 March 2019 |access-date=23 March 2019 |website= news.mydrivers.com}}</ref>
WeChat is a mobile app with functions such as voice- and text messaging, [[WeChat Pay|mobile payment]], and a friends-only social network called ''[[Moments (social networking)|Moments]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Social features of WeChat |date=13 January 2013 |url= http://value2020.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/yes-wechat-is-a-social-network-like-facebook/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130121031038/http://value2020.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/yes-wechat-is-a-social-network-like-facebook/ |archive-date=21 January 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013 |publisher=Value2020}}</ref> It is the most popular social mobile application in China and some overseas Chinese communities, for instance, [[Malaysia]]. As of 2017, WeChat has been unsuccessful in penetrating major international markets outside of China.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murgia |first=Madhumita |date=31 March 2017 |title=Tencent expands WeChat's ecommerce platform in Europe |url= https://www.ft.com/content/983693ac-1543-11e7-b0c1-37e417ee6c76 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170505114605/https://www.ft.com/content/983693ac-1543-11e7-b0c1-37e417ee6c76 |archive-date=5 May 2017 |access-date=19 May 2017 |website=Financial Times |page=18 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Entertainment ===
==== Video games ====
{{Main|Tencent Games}}
[[File:Riot Games Headquarters.jpg|thumb|[[Riot Games]] is one of Tencent's notable subsidiaries, known for creating the [[multiplayer online battle arena]] game ''[[League of Legends]]''. It is one of the first game developers to receive investment from Tencent.]]
Tencent publishes video games via its Tencent Games division of Tencent Interactive Entertainment. It has five internal studio groups under it: [[TiMi Studio Group]], [[LightSpeed Studios]], Aurora Studio Group, Morefun Studio and Next Studio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2018 |title=Tencent isn't just Ubisoft's savior – it's the world's biggest gaming company |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/29/17172326/tencent-ubisoft-explained |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625050420/https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/29/17172326/tencent-ubisoft-explained |archive-date=25 June 2018 |access-date=3 July 2018 |website=polygon.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jin-young |first=Cho |date=26 October 2015 |title=Foreign Capital Eyes Korean Fintech Startups |url=http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=12617 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015072750/http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=12617 |archive-date=15 October 2021 |access-date= |website= BusinessKorea.co.kr |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 January 2021 |title=19 Years of Powering Insights |url= https://nikopartners.com/niko-partners-19-years-of-powering-insights/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210120194503/https://nikopartners.com/niko-partners-19-years-of-powering-insights/ |archive-date=20 January 2021 |access-date= |website= NikoPartners.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Messner |first=Steven |date=9 August 2020 |title=Every game company that Tencent has invested in |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/every-game-company-that-tencent-has-invested-in/ |url-status=live |magazine= [[PC Gamer]] |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006125441/https://www.pcgamer.com/every-game-company-that-tencent-has-invested-in/ |archive-date=6 October 2019 |access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Jon |date=26 May 2017 |title=Why Tencent's M&A strategy is smarter than gotta buy 'em all |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/comment-and-opinion/65826/tencent-investment-strategy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602210930/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/asia/comment-and-opinion/65826/tencent-investment-strategy/ |archive-date=2 June 2021 |access-date= |website=pocketgamer.biz}}</ref>
Outside of companies subsidiary of its game division, Tencent as a whole has many major and minor investments in domestic and, since the 2010s, foreign game companies.
==== Foreign studio assets ====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Company
! scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" | First investment date
! scope="col" | As of date
! scope="col" | Ownership stake
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}
|-
| [[Funcom]]
| Oslo, Norway
| {{Dts|September 2019}}
| {{Dts|January 2020}}
| rowspan="6" | Wholly-owned
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Haydn |date=30 September 2019 |title=Tencent acquires minority stake in Funcom |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-09-30-tencent-acquires-minority-stake-in-funcom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001224106/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-09-30-tencent-acquires-minority-stake-in-funcom |archive-date=1 October 2019 |access-date=30 September 2019 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Handrahan |first=Matthew |date=22 January 2020 |title=Tencent bids to acquire 100% of Funcom |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-22-tencent-bids-to-acquire-100-percent-of-funcom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122134459/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-22-tencent-bids-to-acquire-100-percent-of-funcom |archive-date=22 January 2020 |access-date=22 January 2020 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Leyou]] ([[Athlon Games]], [[Digital Extremes]], [[Splash Damage]])
| Hong Kong
| {{Dts|December 2020}}
|
|<ref name="Batchelor">{{Cite web|last=Batchelor|first=James|date=14 December 2020|title=Leyou shareholders approve Tencent takeover| url= https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-12-14-leyou-shareholders-approve-tencent-takeover|access-date=14 December 2020|website= GamesIndustry.biz |archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125125921/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-12-14-leyou-shareholders-approve-tencent-takeover|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stanton |first=Rich |date=23 December 2020 |title=Tencent acquires Warframe developer Digital Extremes and several other studios |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/tencent-acquires-warframe-developer-digital-extremes-and-several-other-studios/ |access-date=23 December 2020 |magazine= PC Gamer |archive-date=23 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223171407/https://www.pcgamer.com/tencent-acquires-warframe-developer-digital-extremes-and-several-other-studios/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Riot Games]]
| Los Angeles, United States
| {{Dts|September 2009}}
| {{Dts|December 2015}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Riot Games now owned entirely by Tencent |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/12/16/10326320/riot-games-now-owned-entirely-by-tencent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407071323/https://www.polygon.com/2015/12/16/10326320/riot-games-now-owned-entirely-by-tencent |archive-date=7 April 2019 |access-date=3 July 2018 |website=polygon.com|date=16 December 2015 }}</ref>
|-
| Sharkmob
| Malmö, Sweden
| {{Dts|March 2019}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent acquires Sharkmob |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-21-tencent-acquires-sharkmob |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630092328/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-21-tencent-acquires-sharkmob |archive-date=30 June 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=21 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sumo Group]]
| Sheffield, United Kingdom
| {{Dts|November 2019}}
| {{Dts|January 2022}}
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Batchelor |first1=James |title=Tencent buying 10% of Sumo Group |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-15-tencent-buying-10-percent-of-sumo-digital |website=gamesindustry.biz |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=15 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115165247/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-15-tencent-buying-10-percent-of-sumo-digital |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="VentureBeat: Tencent100">{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/07/19/tencent-has-agreed-to-buy-video-game-maker-sumo-group-for-1-27b/ |title=Tencent has agreed to buy video game maker Sumo Group for $1.27B |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=19 July 2021 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719114435/https://venturebeat.com/2021/07/19/tencent-has-agreed-to-buy-video-game-maker-sumo-group-for-1-27b/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Grinding Gear Games]]
|Auckland, New Zealand
|{{Dts|May 2018}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 April 2024 |title=New Zealand Companies Office |url=https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/1887410/shareholdings |access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[Visual Arts (company)|Visual Arts]] ([[Key (company)|Key]], [[KineticNovel]])
| Osaka, Japan
|July 2023
|
| rowspan="12" |Majority
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2023 |title=Tencent acquires Key parent company Visual Arts |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/tencent-acquires-key-parent-company-visual-arts |access-date=27 July 2023 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[Turtle Rock Studios]]
|  Lake Forest, United States
| {{Dts|December 2021}}
|
|<ref name="auto4"/>
|-
| Wake Up Interactive (Soleil, [[Valhalla Game Studios]])
| Hong Kong
| {{Dts|November 2021}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/11/tencent-acquires-soleil-and-valhalla-game-studios-parent-company-wake-up-interactive|title=Tencent acquires Soleil and Valhalla Game Studios parent company Wake Up Interactive|date=15 November 2021|website=Gematsu|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115092648/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/11/tencent-acquires-soleil-and-valhalla-game-studios-parent-company-wake-up-interactive|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Inflexion Games
| Edmonton, Canada
| {{Dts|February 2022}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-02-22-tencent-acquires-inflexion-from-improbable|title=Tencent acquires Inflexion from Improbable|date=22 February 2022|access-date=22 February 2021|website= Gamesindustry.biz|first=Brendan|last=Sinclar}}</ref>
|-
| [[Fulqrum Publishing]]
| Prague, Czechia
| {{Dts|February 2022}}
|
|<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-02-25-tencent-acquires-1c-entertainment | title = Tencent acquires 1C Entertainment | first = Danielle | last = Partis | date = 25 February 2022 | accessdate = 25 February 2022 | work = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] }}</ref>
|-
|[[Techland]]
| Wrocław, Poland
|24 July 2023
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyles |first=Taylor |date=24 July 2023 |title=Tencent Buys Dying Light Developer Techland |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/tencent-buys-dying-light-developer-techland |access-date=24 July 2023 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tequila Works]]
|Madrid, Spain
|{{Dts|March 2022}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=Tencent becomes majority investor in Rime developer Tequila Works |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-03-15-tencent-becomes-majority-investor-in-rime-developer-tequila-works}}</ref>
|-
|[[Klei Entertainment]]
|Vancouver, Canada
|{{Dts|January 2021}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=22 January 2021 |title=Yet Another Game Dev Acquired By Tencent, And This Time It's Don't Starve Maker Klei |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/yet-another-game-dev-acquired-by-tencent-and-this-time-its-dont-starve-maker-klei/1100-6486655/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122192103/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/yet-another-game-dev-acquired-by-tencent-and-this-time-its-dont-starve-maker-klei/1100-6486655/ |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=22 January 2021 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
|-
|10 Chambers Collective
|Stockholm, Sweden
|{{Dts|October 2020}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallace |first=Chris |date=5 October 2020 |title=Tencent buys a major stake in GTFO developer 10 Chambers |language=en |work=MCV |url=https://mcvuk.com/business-news/tencent-buys-a-major-stake-in-gtfo-developer-10-chambers/ |access-date=5 August 2023 |issn=1469-4832}}</ref>
|-
|[[Yager Development]]
|Berlin, Germany
|{{Dts|February 2020}}
|{{Dts|June 2021}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=10 February 2020 |title=Tencent invests in Spec Ops: The Line studio Yager |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/tencent-invests-in-spec-ops-the-line-studio-yager/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610233349/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/tencent-invests-in-spec-ops-the-line-studio-yager/ |archive-date=10 June 2020 |access-date=10 February 2020 |website=[[Video Games Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Notis |first=Ari |date=22 June 2021 |title=Tencent Now Owns Majority Of Spec Ops: The Line Studio |url=https://kotaku.com/tencent-now-owns-majority-of-spec-ops-the-line-studio-1847148169 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622162435/https://kotaku.com/tencent-now-owns-majority-of-spec-ops-the-line-studio-1847148169 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |accessdate=22 June 2021 |work=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Fatshark]]
|Stockholm, Sweden
|{{Dts|January 2019}}
|{{Dts|January 2021}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2019 |title=Tencent takes minority stake in Warhammer: Vermintide developer Fatshark |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-09-tencent-takes-minority-stake-in-warhammer-vermintide-developer-fatshark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109213044/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-09-tencent-takes-minority-stake-in-warhammer-vermintide-developer-fatshark |archive-date=9 January 2019 |access-date=15 February 2021 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dring |first=Christopher |date=9 January 2019 |title=Tencent takes minority stake in Warhammer: Vermintide developer Fatshark |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-09-tencent-takes-minority-stake-in-warhammer-vermintide-developer-fatshark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109213044/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-09-tencent-takes-minority-stake-in-warhammer-vermintide-developer-fatshark |archive-date=9 January 2019 |access-date=9 January 2019 |work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Miniclip]]
|Neuchâtel, Switzerland
|{{Dts|February 2015}}
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 February 2015 |title=China's Tencent moves into Europe with investment in mobile and online game publisher Miniclip (exclusive) |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/02/18/chinas-tencent-invests-in-europes-mobile-and-online-game-publisher-miniclip-exclusive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015304/https://venturebeat.com/2015/02/18/chinas-tencent-invests-in-europes-mobile-and-online-game-publisher-miniclip-exclusive/ |archive-date=17 June 2018 |access-date=3 July 2018 |website=venturebeat.com}}</ref>
|-
| [[Supercell (video game company)|Supercell]]
| Helsinki, Finland
| {{Dts|June 2016}}
|
| 84%
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |title=Tencent agrees to $8.6 billion Supercell purchase |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/tencent-agrees-to-8-6-billion-supercell-purchase|access-date=3 July 2018 |website=gamadeveloper.com|date=21 June 2016 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Don't Nod]]
| Paris, France
| {{Dts|January 2021}}
|
| 42%
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wire |first=Actusnews |title=DON'T NOD |url=https://www.actusnews.com/en/dontnod/pr/2023/02/17/successful-completion-of-approximately-eur-46-million-capital-increase |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Actusnews Wire |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| Pocket Gems
| San Francisco, United States
| 2015
| {{Dts|May 2017}}
| 38%
|<ref>{{Cite news|last=Haggin|first=Patience|date=10 May 2017|title=China's Tencent Puts $90 Million Into Pocket Gems for Mobile Games|language=en-US|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-puts-90-million-into-pocket-gems-for-mobile-games-1494444600|access-date=|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602211604/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-puts-90-million-into-pocket-gems-for-mobile-games-1494444600|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Shift Up]]
| Seoul, South Korea
|December 2022
|
|35.03%
|<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Tencent becomes Netmarble's second largest shareholder - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse) |url=https://pulse.mk.co.kr/news/english/11083499 |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Pulse |language=ko}}</ref>
|-
| [[Epic Games]]
| Cary, United States
| {{Dts|June 2012}}
|
| 35%
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sinclair |first1=Brendan |title=The US is banning TikTok, could Fortnite and League of Legends be next? {{!}} This Week in Business |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-us-is-banning-tiktok-could-fortnite-and-league-of-legends-be-next-this-week-in-business |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=16 August 2024 |language=en |date=26 April 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bloober Team]]
| Kraków, Poland
| {{Dts|October 2021}}
|
| 22%
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pb.pl/tencent-najwiekszym-akcjonariuszem-bloober-team-1129934|title=Tencent największym akcjonariuszem Bloobera|access-date=9 October 2021|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009073844/https://www.pb.pl/tencent-najwiekszym-akcjonariuszem-bloober-team-1129934|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Marvelous (company)|Marvelous]]
| Tokyo, Japan
| {{Dts|May 2020}}
|
| 20%
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=26 May 2020 |title=Tencent acquires 20 percent stake in Story of Seasons dev for $65 million |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/363627/Tencent_acquires_20_percent_stake_in_Story_of_Seasons_dev_for_65_million.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803231025/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/363627/Tencent_acquires_20_percent_stake_in_Story_of_Seasons_dev_for_65_million.php |archive-date=3 August 2020 |access-date=26 May 2020 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sea Ltd]] ([[Garena]])
| Singapore
| 2010
| {{Dts|January 2022}}
| 18.7%
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 November 2018 |title=Tencent eyes Southeast Asia games market with Sea partnership |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/gear/article/2173982/chinese-gaming-giant-tencent-looks-southeast-asia-sea-partnership-amid |access-date=15 February 2021 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120102342/https://www.scmp.com/tech/gear/article/2173982/chinese-gaming-giant-tencent-looks-southeast-asia-sea-partnership-amid |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 March 2019 |title=Tencent-Backed Sea Raises $1.35 Billion in Share Sale |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-06/tencent-backed-sea-is-said-to-raise-1-35-billion-in-share-sale |access-date=16 February 2021 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526130827/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-06/tencent-backed-sea-is-said-to-raise-1-35-billion-in-share-sale |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/the-880-stock-rally-that-s-trouncing-tesla-and-everything-else?sref=G4ZwBfC0|title=The World's Hottest Stock Is a Money-Losing Tech Giant Soaring 880%|publisher=Bloomberg|date=5 August 2020|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222195805/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-05/the-880-stock-rally-that-s-trouncing-tesla-and-everything-else?sref=G4ZwBfC0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-05 |title=Tencent spooks traders as it trims investment portfolio with Sea sale |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3162188/tencent-sells-shares-southeast-asias-biggest-technology |access-date=2024-06-23 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Netmarble]]
| Seoul, South Korea
| {{Dts|September 2018}}
|
| 17.66%
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 September 2018 |title=넷마블 분기보고서 |url=http://dart.fss.or.kr/dsaf001/main.do?rcpNo=20181114002692 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609083958/http://dart.fss.or.kr/dsaf001/main.do?rcpNo=20181114002692 |archive-date=9 June 2020 |access-date=25 May 2020 |publisher=Dart |language=ko}}</ref>
|-
| [[FromSoftware]]
| Tokyo, Japan
| {{Dts|August 2022}}
|
| 16.25%
|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/tencent-and-sony-interactive-entertainment-collectively-acquire-30-34-percent-of-fromsoftware | title=Tencent and Sony Interactive Entertainment collectively acquire 30.34 percent of FromSoftware | date=31 August 2022 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Remedy Entertainment]]
| Helsinki, Finland
| {{Dts|May 2021}}
|
| 14%
|<ref>{{cite web|date=April 29, 2024|title=Tencent raises its stake in Remedy to 14%|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tencent-raises-its-stake-in-remedy-to-14}}</ref>
|-
| [[Krafton]] (Bluehole Studio)
| Seongnam-si, South Korea
| {{Dts|August 2018}}
|
| 13.87%
|<ref name=":12" />
|-
| [[Kakao]]
| Jeju City, South Korea
| {{Dts|May 2012}}
|
| 13.54%
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 May 2012 |title=Tencent Invests US$63M into KakaoTalk the Korean WeChat |work=TechNode |url=http://technode.com/2012/05/17/tencent-invests-us63m-into-kakaotalk-the-korean-wechat/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024175227/https://technode.com/2012/05/17/tencent-invests-us63m-into-kakaotalk-the-korean-wechat/ |archive-date=24 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent expansion in Asia may be bolstered by Kakao connection |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1519819/tencent-expansion-asia-may-be-bolstered-kakao-connection |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810020344/http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/1519819/tencent-expansion-asia-may-be-bolstered-kakao-connection |archive-date=10 August 2017}}</ref>
|-
| [[Paradox Interactive]]
| Stockholm, Sweden
| {{Dts|March 2016}}
|
| 10.07%
|<ref name="gibiz 5% paradox">{{Cite web |title=Tencent shares in Paradox Interactive |url=https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/investors/ownership-structure |access-date=8 August 2024 |website=Paradox Interactive official website}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ubisoft]]
| Paris, France
| {{Dts|March 2018}}
|
| 9.99%
|<ref>{{Cite news |title=Honour of Kings publisher leads US$2.45b takeover of Ubisoft |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/2138432/vivendi-selling-ubisoft-stake-us245b-investors-led-chinas-tencent |url-status=live |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324041147/http://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/2138432/vivendi-selling-ubisoft-stake-us245b-investors-led-chinas-tencent |archive-date=24 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=For Ubisoft it's goodbye Vivendi, hello Tencent |language=en |work=GamesIndustry.biz |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-03-22-for-ubisoft-its-goodbye-vivendi-hello-tencent |url-status=live |access-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323124645/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-03-22-for-ubisoft-its-goodbye-vivendi-hello-tencent |archive-date=23 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem |url=https://www.techinasia.com/tencent-bumps-stake-assassins-creed-publisher-999 |access-date=19 October 2022 |website= techinasia.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[Frontier Developments]]
| Cambridge, United Kingdom
| {{Dts|July 2017}}
|
| 9%
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=28 July 2017 |title=Tencent acquires 9% of Frontier Developments |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/tencent-acquires-9-of-frontier-developments/ |access-date=14 February 2021 |magazine=MCV/DEVELOP |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032914/https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/publishing/tencent-acquires-9-of-frontier-developments/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Kadokawa Corporation]]
| Tokyo, Japan
| {{Dts|October 2021}}
|
| 6.86%
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://group.kadokawa.co.jp/global/|title=KADOKAWA GROUP GLOBAL PORTAL SITE|website=KADOKAWA GROUP GLOBAL PORTAL SITE|access-date=29 October 2021|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028151902/https://group.kadokawa.co.jp/global/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://i.imgur.com/RO3tSSt.png |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 October 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029184647/https://i.imgur.com/RO3tSSt.png |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}
Other notable investments include [[Discord (software)|Discord]] ({{Dts|February 2015}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why Tencent-Backed Gaming Chat App Is Taking On Steam |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/why-tencent-backed-gaming-chat-app-is-taking-on-steam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230514193410/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/why-tencent-backed-gaming-chat-app-is-taking-on-steam |archive-date=14 May 2023 |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=The Information|date=7 September 2018 }}</ref> [[Roblox Corporation]] ({{Dts|February 2020}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2020 |title=The promise and challenge of Roblox's future in China |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/22/roblox-china/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526130827/https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/22/roblox-china/ |archive-date=26 May 2021 |access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref> Lockwood Publishing ({{Dts|November 2020}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 November 2020 |title=Tencent invests in Lockwood Publishing |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-11-04-tencent-invests-in-lockwood-publishing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104192425/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-11-04-tencent-invests-in-lockwood-publishing |archive-date=4 November 2020 |access-date=15 February 2021 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> [[PlatinumGames]] ({{Dts|January 2020}}),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=7 January 2020 |title=Platinum Games accelerates self-publishing plans with Tencent investment |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-07-platinum-games-accelerates-self-publishing-plans-with-tencent-investment |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204224335/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-01-07-platinum-games-accelerates-self-publishing-plans-with-tencent-investment |archive-date=4 February 2020 |access-date=7 January 2020 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref> Aiming ({{Dts|December 2014}}),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Osawa |first=Juro |date=12 December 2014 |title=Tencent Invests In Japanese Game Developer Aiming |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/12/12/tencent-invests-in-japanese-game-developer-aiming/ |url-status=live |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104151409/https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/12/12/tencent-invests-in-japanese-game-developer-aiming/ |archive-date=4 January 2018 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> [[Novarama]] ({{Dts|March 2022}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barcelona-based Novarama And Tencent Reach Investment Agreement |url=https://mailchi.mp/planofattack.biz/barcelona-based-novarama-and-tencent-reach-investment-agreement/ |access-date=31 March 2022}}</ref> Triternion ({{Dts|September 2022}})<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2022 |title=Tencent takes minority stake in Mordhau studio Triternion |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tencent-takes-minority-stake-in-mordhau-studio-triternion}}</ref> Riffraff Games ({{Dts|March 2022}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2022 |title=Studio MayDay rebrands as Riffraff Games after Tencent investment |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-03-16-studio-mayday-rebrands-as-riffraff-games-after-tencent-investment}}</ref> Offworld Industries ({{Dts|March 2022}}),<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2022 |title=Tencent acquires minority stake in Canadian studio Offworld Industries |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-03-01-tencent-acquires-minority-stake-in-canadian-studio-offworld-industries}}</ref> [[Bohemia Interactive]] ({{Dts|February 2021}}),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=9 February 2021 |title=Tencent Buys A Stake In Yet Another Game Developer, And It's DayZ's Bohemia |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tencent-buys-a-stake-in-yet-another-game-developer-and-its-dayzs-bohemia/1100-6487291/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209160529/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tencent-buys-a-stake-in-yet-another-game-developer-and-its-dayzs-bohemia/1100-6487291/ |archive-date=9 February 2021 |access-date=9 February 2021 |website=[[GameStop]]}}</ref> Payload Studios ({{Dts|February 2021}}),<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=24 February 2021 |title=Tencent grabs minority stake in TerraTech developer Payload Studios |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/377862/Tencent_grabs_minority_stake_in_TerraTech_developer_Payload_Studios.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224153904/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/377862/Tencent_grabs_minority_stake_in_TerraTech_developer_Payload_Studios.php |archive-date=24 February 2021 |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref> [[Playtonic Games]] ({{Dts|November 2021}}),<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=18 November 2021 |title=Tencent buys stake in Yooka-Laylee studio Playtonic |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-18-tencent-buys-stake-in-yooka-laylee-studio-playtonic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118141357/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-11-18-tencent-buys-stake-in-yooka-laylee-studio-playtonic |archive-date=18 November 2021 |accessdate=18 November 2021 |work=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref> [[Voodoo (company)|Voodoo]] (August 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2023-07-05 |title=Tencent investment marks "new beginning" for UK studio Lighthouse Games |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tencent-investment-marks-new-beginning-for-uk-studio-lighthouse-games |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> and Lighthouse Games (July 2023).<ref>{{Cite web |last=McAloon |first=Alissa |date=18 August 2020 |title=Tencent picks up minority stake in hyper casual game publisher Voodoo |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/368421/Tencent_picks_up_minority_stake_in_hyper_casual_game_publisher_Voodoo.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819061800/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/368421/Tencent_picks_up_minority_stake_in_hyper_casual_game_publisher_Voodoo.php |archive-date=19 August 2020 |access-date=18 August 2020 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>
===== Former foreign stakes =====
* Tencent had a 14.46% stake in [[Glu Mobile]] before Glu was acquired by [[Electronic Arts]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent pays $126m for 15% of Glu Mobile |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-04-30-tencent-pays-usd126m-for-15-percent-of-glu-mobile |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=30 April 2015 |language=en |access-date=15 February 2021 |archive-date=2 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502050755/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-04-30-tencent-pays-usd126m-for-15-percent-of-glu-mobile |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent sells a quarter of its stake in Glu Mobile |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-06-07-tencent-sells-a-quarter-of-its-stake-in-glu-mobile |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |date=7 June 2019 |language=en |archive-date=4 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904103910/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-06-07-tencent-sells-a-quarter-of-its-stake-in-glu-mobile |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hu |first=Akanksha Rana, Krystal |date=9 February 2021 |title=UPDATE 2- Electronic Arts to buy Glu Mobile for $2.4 billion in mobile gaming push |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/glu-mobile-ma-electronic-arts-idCNL4N2KE4FE |access-date=15 February 2021 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526130827/https://www.reuters.com/article/glu-mobile-ma-electronic-arts-idCNL4N2KE4FE |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Tencent had invested in Playdots, which was acquired by [[Take-Two Interactive]] in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ha|first=Anthony|date=18 August 2020|title=Take-Two Interactive acquires Two Dots game developer|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/18/take-two-acquires-playdots/|access-date=|website=[[TechCrunch]]|language=en-US|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509150038/https://techcrunch.com/2020/08/18/take-two-acquires-playdots/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Tencent invested in [[Activision Blizzard]] as a minority investor with 5% in 2013, when the holding company bought itself from the [[Vivendi]] conglomerate which was part of it since 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 July 2013 |title=Activision Blizzard splits from Vivendi in $8bn buyout |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/26/activision-blizzard-splits-vivendi |access-date=14 February 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=31 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731100823/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/26/activision-blizzard-splits-vivendi |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=3 June 2020 |title=Tencent Accelerates Games Company Acquisitions |url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/asia/tencent-games-company-acquisitions-1234624022/ |access-date=15 February 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603211841/https://variety.com/2020/biz/asia/tencent-games-company-acquisitions-1234624022/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Tencent's [[Sumo Group]] subsidiary wholly owned [[Pipeworks Studios]] until it was sold to [[Jagex]] for an undisclosed sum in July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2022 |title=Jagex acquires Pipeworks Studio to grow in North America |url=https://venturebeat.com/2022/07/21/jagex-acquires-pipeworks-studio-to-grow-in-north-america/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref>
===== Domestic investments =====
* 20% ownership of Chinese company Wangyuan Shengtang, which publishes, among others, the [[GuJian]] franchise (2021). Stake increased to 94% in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2021 |title=Tencent made record number of games M&A deals in 2020 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-22-tencent-made-record-number-of-games-m-and-a-deals-in-2020 |language=en |access-date=9 February 2021 |archive-date=9 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209171012/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-22-tencent-made-record-number-of-games-m-and-a-deals-in-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 51.4% of Chinese company [[Kuro Games]] which publishes [[Wuthering Waves]]. (2024)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-30 |title=Tencent acquires majority stake in Kuro Games |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/11/tencent-acquires-majority-stake-in-kuro-games |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 18.6% ownership of Chinese company iDreamSky, which mainly develops and publishes [[mobile games]] for the Chinese market.
* 5% ownership of Chinese company Century Huatong, which operates games developed by [[FunPlus]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Linzhi Tencent Increased Century Huatong's Holdings |url=https://equalocean.com/briefing/20200727230002778 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728074056/https://equalocean.com/briefing/20200727230002778 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref> Tencent became a shareholder through an investment in Century Huatong's subsidiary [[Shengqu Games]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jourdan |first=Adam |date=8 February 2018 |title=China's Tencent to invest $474 million in Shanda Games |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-shanda-m-a-tencent-holdings/chinas-tencent-to-invest-474-million-in-shanda-games-idUSKBN1FT0IP |url-status=live |access-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728074456/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-shanda-m-a-tencent-holdings/chinas-tencent-to-invest-474-million-in-shanda-games-idUSKBN1FT0IP |archive-date=28 July 2020}}</ref>
* 5% ownership of Chinese company [[Game Science]], responsible for the development of ''[[Black Myth: Wukong]]'' (2021).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Maddison|first=James|date=29 May 2021|title=Tencent acquires 5% stake in Black Myth: Wu Kong developer Game Science|url=https://gameworldobserver.com/2021/03/29/tencent-acquires-5-stake-in-black-myth-wu-kong-developer-game-science|url-status=live|access-date=29 May 2021|website=GamesWorldObserver|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417150408/https://gameworldobserver.com/2021/03/29/tencent-acquires-5-stake-in-black-myth-wu-kong-developer-game-science}}</ref>
==== Television and cinema ====
{{Main|List of Tencent Video original programming}}
In April 2009, Tencent launched iTQQ, a "smart interactive television service" in a joint effort with [[TCL Corporation|TCL]].<ref name="Indiatimes" />
In 2015, Tencent launched [[Tencent Pictures]] ({{zh|links=no|s=腾讯影业}}), a [[film distributor]] and a [[production company]] that creates and distributes films based on [[book]]s, [[comic book]]s, [[animated series]] and [[video game]]s.<ref name="Jaafar">{{Cite web |last=Jaafar |first=Ali |date=17 September 2015 |title=China's Tencent Partners With Legendary And Wanda On 'Warcraft' |url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/tencent-legendary-wanda-warcraft-alibaba-mission-impossible-1201531483/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021101415/http://deadline.com/2015/09/tencent-legendary-wanda-warcraft-alibaba-mission-impossible-1201531483/ |archive-date=21 October 2015 |access-date=11 October 2015 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> In the same year, Tencent launched Tencent Penguin Pictures ({{zh|links=no|s=腾讯企鹅影视}}) a production unit focusing on online dramas and minor investments in feature films.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 September 2015 |title=China's Tencent Hatches Penguin Pictures |agency=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/chinas-tencent-hatches-penguin-pictures-1201591001/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405072718/https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/chinas-tencent-hatches-penguin-pictures-1201591001/ |archive-date=5 April 2019}}</ref> It is under the Online Media Business Unit at Tencent and works closely with [[Tencent Video]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=上海腾讯企鹅影视文化传播有限公司制作的影片-电影公司-Mtime时光网 |url=http://movie.mtime.com/company/127743/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828134441/http://movie.mtime.com/company/127743/ |archive-date=28 August 2018 |access-date=28 August 2018 |website=movie.mtime.com}}</ref>
==== Comics ====
On 21 March 2012, Tencent launched [[Tencent Animation and Comics|Tencent Comic]], and would later become China's largest online animation platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent 腾讯 – Products & Services |url=https://www.tencent.com/en-us/system.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523034435/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/system.html |archive-date=23 May 2017 |access-date=23 March 2019 |website= tencent.com}}</ref>
In September 2017, Tencent has announced plans to introduce [[Manhua|Chinese online comics]] to every market around the world, with the first being [[North America]]. It will be working with [[San Francisco]]-based digital publisher [[Tapas (website)|Tapas Media]], a partnership that will see English-language releases of several popular online Chinese titles.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent to bring Chinese comics to North American readers |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/2110391/tencent-deal-bring-chinese-online-comics-north-american-readers |url-status=live |access-date=11 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912011722/http://www.scmp.com/tech/enterprises/article/2110391/tencent-deal-bring-chinese-online-comics-north-american-readers |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
==== Music ====
{{Main|QQ Music|JOOX}}
In 2014, Tencent established exclusive in-China distribution agreements with several large music producers, including [[Sony Music Entertainment|Sony]], [[Warner Music Group]] and [[YG Entertainment]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carsten, Paul |date=16 December 2014 |title=Tencent, Sony strike China music distribution deal |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-sony-music-idUSKBN0JU0UN20141216 |url-status=live |access-date=2 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924211529/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/16/us-tencent-sony-music-idUSKBN0JU0UN20141216 |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> and in 2017 it signed a deal with [[Universal Music Group]] to stream its music in China. It also entered a partnership with Alibaba Group on music-streaming rights sharing. The deal aims to protect licensed streaming services offering copyrighted content of the [[music industry]], encouraging more high-quality and original music, as well as developing [[China]]'s fast-growing streaming market. Alibaba will gain the rights to stream music from international labels, which already have exclusive deals with Tencent, in return for offering reciprocal rights to its catalogue of [[Music of China|Chinese]] and [[Music of Japan|Japanese]] music.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent Music in harmony with Alibaba following rights deal |language=en |work=The Drum |url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/09/12/tencent-music-harmony-with-alibaba-following-rights-deal |url-status=live |access-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192439/http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/09/12/tencent-music-harmony-with-alibaba-following-rights-deal |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Alibaba, Tencent sign music-streaming rights deal |language=en |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2110837/alibaba-and-tencent-enter-rare-cooperation-which-expert-says |url-status=live |access-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912185239/http://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2110837/alibaba-and-tencent-enter-rare-cooperation-which-expert-says |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
In December 2017, Tencent's music arm, [[Tencent Music]] Entertainment (TME), and [[Spotify]] agreed to swap a 10% stake in each other's music businesses,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent Music, Spotify to Swap Minority Stakes |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-12-09/tencent-music-spotify-to-swap-minority-stakes-101182971.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815131426/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-12-09/tencent-music-spotify-to-swap-minority-stakes-101182971.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=15 August 2018 |website= caixinglobal.com |language=en}}</ref> forming an alliance in the music industry which [[:zh:刘炽平|Martin Lau]] (president of Tencent) described as a "strategic collaboration".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Spotify and Tencent equity swap confirmed |language=en |work=TheIndustryObserver |url=http://www.theindustryobserver.com.au/spotify-tencent-musics-equity-swap-confirmed/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212031435/http://www.theindustryobserver.com.au/spotify-tencent-musics-equity-swap-confirmed/ |archive-date=12 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Spotify and China's Tencent invest in each other as part of 'strategic collaboration' {{!}} VentureBeat |work=venturebeat.com |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/08/spotify-and-chinas-tencent-invest-in-each-other-as-part-of-strategic-collaboration/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209032410/https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/08/spotify-and-chinas-tencent-invest-in-each-other-as-part-of-strategic-collaboration/ |archive-date=9 December 2017}}</ref>
In October 2019, Tencent Music reached a streaming music distribution agreement with [[CD Baby]] and [[TuneCore]] to provide independent music artists who distribute music through CD Baby and TuneCore access to the Chinese music market through Tencent's music streaming services [[QQ Music]], [[KuGou]], and Kuwo.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Tencent, TuneCore, & CD Baby reach agreement |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8532716/tunecore-cd-baby-tencent-china | magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.com]] |url-status=live |access-date=14 October 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191011022008/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8532716/tunecore-cd-baby-tencent-china |archive-date=11 October 2019}}</ref>
In March 2020, Tencent acquired 10% of [[Vivendi]]'s stake in [[Universal Music Group]], the world's largest music group. In addition, it was given the option to buy another 10% with the same conditions.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent's Universal Music Group acquisition is now official |publisher=Music Biz Nation |url=https://musicbiznation.com/news/tencent-universal-acquisition-official/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719201430/https://musicbiznation.com/news/tencent-universal-acquisition-official/ |archive-date=19 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=31 March 2020 |title=Vivendi closes sale of 10% stake in Universal to Tencent consortium |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vivendi-universal-idUSKBN21I12L |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721073644/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vivendi-universal-idUSKBN21I12L |archive-date=21 July 2020}}</ref>
In June 2020, Tencent bought 1.6% of [[Warner Music Group]]'s shares after WMG launched its IPO in the same month.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steele |first=Anne |date=12 June 2020 |title=Tencent Takes Stake in Warner Music Group |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-takes-stake-in-warner-music-group-11591992680 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715205147/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-takes-stake-in-warner-music-group-11591992680 |archive-date=15 July 2020 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
==== Video streaming ====
In June 2011, Tencent launched [[Tencent Video]], a video streaming website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=腾讯视频纪录片频道上线_科技频道_凤凰网 |url=http://tech.ifeng.com/internet/detail_2011_06/25/7246340_0.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212084329/http://tech.ifeng.com/internet/detail_2011_06/25/7246340_0.shtml |archive-date=12 December 2017 |access-date=23 March 2019 |website=tech.ifeng.com}}</ref> It also controls the live-streaming platform [[Huya Live]] and has stakes in other major Chinese game live-streaming platform operators, including [[DouYu]], [[Kuaishou]] and [[Bilibili]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent bolsters lead in China's game live-streaming market after Huya deal |date=8 April 2020 |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/apps-social/article/3078954/tencent-bolsters-lead-chinas-video-game-live-streaming-market |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426111038/https://www.scmp.com/tech/apps-social/article/3078954/tencent-bolsters-lead-chinas-video-game-live-streaming-market |archive-date=26 April 2020 |access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref> In March 2020, Tencent started testing [[Trovo Live]], a live-streaming service for worldwide users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holt |first=Kris |title=With Mixer Dead In The Water, Twitch's Next Big Threat Could Be Tencent |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisholt/2020/06/26/twitch-mixer-tencent-livestreaming-trovo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628120332/https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisholt/2020/06/26/twitch-mixer-tencent-livestreaming-trovo/ |archive-date=28 June 2020 |access-date=27 June 2020 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Since June 2020, it owns the Malaysian Video-on-demand service [[Iflix]].
==== Virtual reality ====
In late April 2017, Tencent announced it was preparing to launch its virtual reality headset that year.<ref name="ft-vr">{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Tim |date=30 April 2017 |title=Tencent poised to launch virtual reality headset |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/71644274-2add-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |url-status=live |access-date=30 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923193951/https://www.ft.com/content/71644274-2add-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |archive-date=23 September 2017}}</ref>
=== E-commerce ===
In September 2005, Tencent launched PaiPai.com ({{zh|s=拍拍|p=pāi pāi|c=|t=}}), a [[Customer to customer|C2C]] auction site.<ref name="Indiatimes" /> In addition to PaiPai.com, Tencent launched TenPay, an online payment system similar to [[PayPal]], which supports [[Business-to-business|B2B]], [[Business-to-consumer|B2C]], and [[Consumer-to-consumer|C2C]] payments.<ref name="Tencent eCommerce">[http://www.tencent.com/en-us/ps/ecommerce.shtml Products and Services, E-commerce] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816191320/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/ps/ecommerce.shtml |date=16 August 2009 }} Tencent Official Site</ref> TenPay was one of the first domestic non-bank payment providers to receive a regulatory license following 2010 [[People's Bank of China]] regulations that took non-bank third party payment providers out of a legal grey area.<ref name=":Liu">{{Cite book |last=Liu |first=Lizhi |title=From Click to Boom: The Political Economy of E-Commerce in China |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |year=2024 |isbn=9780691254104}}</ref>{{Rp|page=55}}
In response to the dominance of the Chinese [[e-commerce]] market by Tencent competitor Alibaba Group, Tencent took great effort in its e-commerce platforms. On 10 March 2014, Tencent bought a 15 per cent stake in Chinese e-commerce website JD.com Inc. by paying cash and handing over its e-commerce businesses Paipai.com, QQ Wanggou, and a stake in Yixun to JD.com, as well as purchasing a stake in e-commerce website [[:zh:58同城|58 Tongcheng]].<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Chris |title=Tencent: The Alibaba That's Already Listed |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriswright/2014/09/16/tencent-the-alibaba-thats-already-listed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909022712/https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriswright/2014/09/16/tencent-the-alibaba-thats-already-listed/ |archive-date=9 September 2017 |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> In accordance to this agreement, JD.com would receive exclusive access to Tencent's WeChat and MobileQQ platforms.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=JD.com, Inc. |url=https://corporate.jd.com/ourHistory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315224612/https://corporate.jd.com/ourHistory |archive-date=15 March 2019 |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=corporate.jd.com}}</ref> In May 2014, JD became the first Chinese e-commerce company to be listed on the [[NASDAQ]] exchange, under its ticker 'JD'.<ref name=":6" />
On 31 December 2015, JD announced that they will stop supporting services on Paipai.com after being unable to deal with issues involving fake goods, and had integrated the Paipai.com team within its other e-commerce platforms. In a 3-month transitional period, Paipai.com would be fully shut down by 1 April 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fake Goods Kill Chinese E-commerce Hope |url=https://www.chinatechnews.com/2015/11/18/22307-fake-goods-kill-chinese-e-commerce-hopes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802042126/http://www.chinatechnews.com/2015/11/18/22307-fake-goods-kill-chinese-e-commerce-hopes |archive-date=2 August 2016 |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=ChinaTechNews.com |date=18 November 2015 |language=en-US}}</ref> JD relaunched PaiPai.com as PaiPai Second Hand ({{lang|zh|拍拍二手}}) to compete alongside 58 Tongcheng's Zhuanzhuan.com, both partially owned by Tencent, against Alibaba's Xianyu in the [[Used good|second-hand]] e-commerce market.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 December 2017 |title=JD is starting a second-hand e-commerce service "Paipai" · TechNode |url=https://technode.com/2017/12/25/jd-starting-second-hand-ecommerce-service/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408135457/http://technode.com/2017/12/25/jd-starting-second-hand-ecommerce-service/ |archive-date=8 April 2018 |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=TechNode |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 January 2018 |title=4 take aways from 34 new Chinese unicorns in 2017: IT Juzi report · TechNode |url=https://technode.com/2018/01/04/itjuzi-chinese-unicorns/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614190140/https://technode.com/2018/01/04/itjuzi-chinese-unicorns/ |archive-date=14 June 2018 |access-date=12 March 2019 |website=TechNode |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tencent was reported in 2017 to be working with [[People's Bank of China|China's Central Bank]] to develop a central payments clearing platform for online payments.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Yang|first=Yuan|date=18 May 2017|title=Tencent's mobile gaming dominance helps profits soar|url=https://www.ft.com/content/e79b1a78-3afd-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723074236/https://www.ft.com/content/e79b1a78-3afd-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23|archive-date=23 July 2017|access-date=18 May 2017|website=Financial Times|page=15|language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 31 December 2021, it was reported Tencent had bought a stake in the UK digital bank, [[Monzo]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=31 December 2021|title=China's Tencent builds stake in UK digital bank Monzo|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/chinas-tencent-builds-stake-uk-digital-bank-monzo-2021-12-31/|access-date=31 December 2021|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231161719/https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/chinas-tencent-builds-stake-uk-digital-bank-monzo-2021-12-31/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chinese giant Tencent joins backers of £3.3bn digital bank Monzo|url=https://news.sky.com/story/chinese-giant-tencent-joins-backers-of-3-3bn-digital-bank-monzo-12506811|access-date=31 December 2021|website=Sky News|language=en|archive-date=31 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231161720/https://news.sky.com/story/chinese-giant-tencent-joins-backers-of-3-3bn-digital-bank-monzo-12506811|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Utility software ===
In March 2006, Tencent launched its search engine [[Soso (search engine)|Soso.com]] (搜搜; to search).<ref name="Tencent Online Media">[http://www.tencent.com/en-us/ps/onlinemedia.shtml Products and Services > Online Media] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802164055/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/ps/onlinemedia.shtml |date=2 August 2009 }} Tencent Official Site</ref><ref name="CNReviews">[http://cnreviews.com/business/companies/tencent_qqcom_to_build_a_3000-person_search_army_to_power_its_search_engine_20080414.html Tencent to Build 3000-person Search Army to Power Search Engine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815065142/http://cnreviews.com/business/companies/tencent_qqcom_to_build_a_3000-person_search_army_to_power_its_search_engine_20080414.html |date=15 August 2011 }} cnreviews.com, 14 April 2008.</ref> On 1 October 2012, it was the 33rd most visited website in the world, 11th most visited in China, as well as the 8th most visited website in South Korea, according to [[Alexa Internet]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soso.com Traffic, Demographics and Competitors – Alexa |url=https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/soso.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323142130/https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/soso.com |archive-date=23 March 2019 |access-date=23 March 2019 |website= alexa.com}}</ref> It was also a Chinese partner of [[Google]], using [[AdWords]].<ref name="nogoog">[https://techcrunch.com/2010/06/20/what-valley-companies-should-know-about-tencent/ What Valley Companies Should Know about Tencent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819115000/http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/20/what-valley-companies-should-know-about-tencent/ |date=19 August 2011 }} techcrunch.com, 20 June 2010.</ref> In September 2013, Tencent discontinued Soso.com after it invested in [[Sogou]] and replaced Soso.com with Sogou Search as its main search engine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=搜搜"入赘"搜狗之后，产品如何取舍？_网易科技 |url=http://tech.163.com/14/0307/09/9MNLJO6000094NRG.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323150636/http://tech.163.com/14/0307/09/9MNLJO6000094NRG.html |archive-date=23 March 2019 |access-date=23 March 2019 |website=tech.163.com|date=7 March 2014 }}</ref>
In 2008, Tencent released a media player, available for free download, under the name [[QQ Player]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent Releases "QQ Player" |url=http://pacificepoch.com/china-investment-research/articles/tencent-releases-qq-player/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185948/http://pacificepoch.com/china-investment-research/articles/tencent-releases-qq-player/ |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> Tencent also launched Tencent Traveler, a web browser based on [[Trident (software)|Trident]]. It became the third most-visited browser in China in 2008.<ref name="Tencent Products IM">[http://www.tencent.com/en-us/ps/imservice.shtml Products & Services > Instant Messaging Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801001534/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/ps/imservice.shtml |date=1 August 2009 }} Tencent Official Site</ref><ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2008-01-11/mozilla-takes-on-microsoft-in-chinabusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice Mozilla Takes on Microsoft in China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807064330/http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jan2008/gb20080111_084224.htm |date=7 August 2009 }} Bloomberg, 11 January 2008, 7:21&nbsp;am EST</ref>
QQ Haiwai is Tencent's first venture into international real estate listings and information and is the result of a partnership with Chinese international real estate website Juwai.com. Haiwai was announced at Tencent's annual regional summit in Beijing on 21 December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=腾讯"新房+后市场"业务闭环成形 |url=https://view.inews.qq.com/a/BJC2016122103602804?from=timeline&isappinstalled=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824013822/https://view.inews.qq.com/a/BJC2016122103602804?from=timeline&isappinstalled=0 |archive-date=24 August 2020 |access-date=1 May 2017 |website=qq.com |publisher=Tencent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Su-Lin |title=Australian Juwai.com and Chinese tech giant Tencent launch new property website |work=Australian Financial Review |url=http://www.afr.com/real-estate/australian-juwaicom-and-chinese-tech-giant-tencent-launch-new-property-website-20170104-gtlv3x?login_token=0wBLZfqUBHR0fUOBHI9-kotZ7XvNA1z2MYbu27WrtMrRPqmMq0czyE4XZWc-0vm_Ca43t1xdCjMIOAmVoq7fEA&expiry=1483572740&single_use_token=-dD37vudTw6Lgsua33yd-3x1g6NoDQXir_0_2apKZ5u-T5inhBaO3s15cqxwsG78QTmcNHY4X-kBTji79dOpBQ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214125146/http://www.afr.com/real-estate/australian-juwaicom-and-chinese-tech-giant-tencent-launch-new-property-website-20170104-gtlv3x?login_token=0wBLZfqUBHR0fUOBHI9-kotZ7XvNA1z2MYbu27WrtMrRPqmMq0czyE4XZWc-0vm_Ca43t1xdCjMIOAmVoq7fEA&expiry=1483572740&single_use_token=-dD37vudTw6Lgsua33yd-3x1g6NoDQXir_0_2apKZ5u-T5inhBaO3s15cqxwsG78QTmcNHY4X-kBTji79dOpBQ |archive-date=14 December 2017}}</ref>
In 2017, Tencent launched its own [[credit score]] system called Tencent Credit, with a process similar to that of Sesame Credit, operated by its competitor, the Alibaba Group, through its subsidiary Ant Financial.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horwitz |first=Josh |title=China's Tencent is quietly testing a "social credit score" based on people's online behavior |url=https://qz.com/1049669/chinas-tencent-hkg-0700-is-quietly-testing-a-social-credit-score-based-on-peoples-online-behavior/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210003213/https://qz.com/1049669/chinas-tencent-hkg-0700-is-quietly-testing-a-social-credit-score-based-on-peoples-online-behavior/ |archive-date=10 February 2018 |access-date=9 February 2018 |website=Quartz|date=9 August 2017 }}</ref>
=== Healthcare and insurance ===
Tencent has created WeChat Intelligent Healthcare, Tencent Doctorwork, and [[artificial intelligence in healthcare|AI Medical Innovation System (AIMIS)]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Tencent's medical ecosystem is shaping the future of China's healthcare |date=11 February 2018 |url=https://technode.com/2018/02/11/tencent-medical-ecosystem/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603165928/https://technode.com/2018/02/11/tencent-medical-ecosystem/ |archive-date=3 June 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref> Tencent Doctorwork has also merged with Trusted Doctors<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent to merge Doctorwork with Trusted Doctors |date=9 August 2018 |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/china-tech/article/2158942/tencent-merge-doctorwork-trusted-doctors-build-its-online-and |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604113634/https://www.scmp.com/tech/china-tech/article/2158942/tencent-merge-doctorwork-trusted-doctors-build-its-online-and |archive-date=4 June 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref>
Tencent officially commences operations of its first insurance agency platform, WeSure Internet Insurance Ltd. (WeSure), to work with domestic insurance companies such as [[Ping An Insurance]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shumin |first=Liao |date=3 November 2017 |title=Tencent Establishes Insurance Platform WeSure Through WeChat and QQ |work=YICAI |url=https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/tencent-establishes-insurance-platform-wesure-through-wechat-and-qq |url-status=live |access-date=1 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402101225/https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/tencent-establishes-insurance-platform-wesure-through-wechat-and-qq |archive-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>
In August 2017, Tencent released AI Medical Innovation System (AIMIS)<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Tencent's medical ecosystem is shaping China' healthcare |url=http://www.sohu.com/a/222328517_465957|access-date=28 May 2021|website= sohu.com|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210902133245/https://www.sohu.com/a/222328517_465957|url-status=live}}</ref> or Miying<ref>{{Cite web|title=腾讯觅影 |url= https://miying.qq.com/official/mobile/|access-date=28 May 2021|website=miying.qq.com|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220208172334/https://miying.qq.com/official/|url-status=live}}</ref> (觅影 in Chinese), which has two core competencies: AI medical imaging and AI-assisted diagnosis. AI Medical Innovation System (AIMIS) is capable of helping doctors screen for several diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, lung cancer and esophageal cancer through its AI-assisted medical image analysis. Its AI-assisted medical diagnosis engine allows doctors to identify and estimate the risk of more than 700 diseases, improving the accuracy and efficiency of their diagnosis. The system is undergoing clinical validation in more than 100 major Chinese hospitals. It has already helped doctors read more than 100 million medical images and served nearly one million patients. Tencent's data shows that recognition accuracy reaches 90% for esophageal cancer, 97% for diabetic retinopathy and 97.2% for colorectal cancer. In general, Chinese medical institutions and companies are taking a proactive attitude toward AI. Nearly 80% of hospitals and medical enterprises plan to carry out, or have already carried out, medical AI applications, and more than 75% of hospitals believe that these applications will become popular in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Innovation and Health|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/health_ai_bigdata.html|access-date=28 May 2021|website= wipo.int|language=en|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129165904/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/health_ai_bigdata.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Tencent helped source 1.2&nbsp;million protective masks for American medical staff combating the virus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A relay for life protection from Shenzhen to Boston – Xinhua Net |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/08/c_138956062.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508111416/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-04/08/c_138956062.htm |archive-date=8 May 2020 |access-date=8 May 2020 |website= xinhuanet.com/english/home.htm |language=en}}</ref>
=== Data processing ===
On 27 March 2020, a co-innovation lab was launched by Tencent who will be in collaborations with [[Huawei]] in developing a [[Cloud computing|cloud-based]] game platform by tapping into Huawei's Kunpeng processor's power to build Tencent's GameMatrix cloud game platform. Along with further exploration in the possibilities of artificial intelligence and augmented reality elements in game.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 March 2020 |title=Tencent to develop cloud game platform with Huawei |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-huawei-games-idUSKBN21E0BV |url-status=live |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328103518/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-huawei-games-idUSKBN21E0BV |archive-date=28 March 2020}}</ref>
In October 2020, Tencent's AIMIS Image Cloud was introduced.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Tencent Announces AIMIS Medical Image Cloud and AIMIS Open Lab to Accelerate Medical AI and Enhance the Delivery of Healthcare Services|url=https://www.tencent.com/en-us/articles/2201092.html|access-date=28 May 2021 |website= tencent.com|language=en-US|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508042411/https://www.tencent.com/en-us/articles/2201092.html|url-status=live}}</ref> AIMIS Image Cloud was designed to help patients manage their medical images and give permission to medical professionals to access their exams and reports. The AIMIS platform supports full images on the cloud to reduce repeated exams. It can also connect medical institutions at all levels through cloud based Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), allowing patients to take examinations in primary medical institutions and obtain expert diagnosis remotely. Doctors can conduct online consultations through Tencent real-time audio and video facilities when they encounter difficult cases and work collaboratively on images to communicate more efficiently.<ref name=":7" />
On 26 May 2020, Tencent announced it planned to invest 500&nbsp;billion yuan (US$70&nbsp;billion) over the next five years in new digital infrastructure, a major hi-tech initiative that would bolster Beijing's efforts to drive economic recovery in the post-coronavirus era.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2020 |title=Tencent to invest US$70 billion in new digital infrastructure |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3086162/tencent-invest-us70-billion-new-digital-infrastructure-backing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605030949/https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3086162/tencent-invest-us70-billion-new-digital-infrastructure-backing |archive-date=5 June 2020 |access-date=5 June 2020 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
=== Accessibility ===
Tencent received the [[Zero Project]] Award 2023 for innovative ICT solutions for persons with disabilities. Originating from Tencent's game development, MTGPA (Magic Tencent Game Performance Amelioration) Haptics is transmitting vibro-tactile signals to the user which support orientation and notification. Typical customers are persons with visual impairments or the elderly.<ref name="MTGPA Haptics {{!}} Zero Project">{{Cite web |title=MTGPA Haptics {{!}} Zero Project |url=https://zeroproject.org/view |access-date=15 May 2023 |website=zeroproject.org |language=en-us}}</ref> Connected to the Tencent Map app, MTGPA Haptics guides customers indoors and outdoors through long and short vibrations in case of deviations from the planned route.<ref name="MTGPA Haptics {{!}} Zero Project"/>
=== Other ===
Tencent announced its WeCity project in 2019, through which it seeks to develop a [[smart city]] solution for digital governance, urban management and decision-making, and industrial interconnections.<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Hu |first=Richard |title=Reinventing the Chinese City |date=2023 |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |isbn=978-0-231-21101-7 |location=New York}}</ref>{{Rp|page=65}} In June 2020, Tencent has unveiled plans for an urban development dubbed "Net City",<ref name=":03" />{{Rp|page=65}} a 21-million-square-foot development, equivalent in size to Monaco, in Shenzhen. The development will be built on [[Land reclamation in China|reclaimed land]].<ref name=":03" />{{Rp|page=65}} It will prioritize pedestrians, green spaces and self-driving vehicles, corporate offices, schools, sports facilities, parks, retail space and apartments, according to the project's architect, [[NBBJ]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Putzier |first=Konrad |date=9 June 2020 |title=China's Tencent Plays Master Builder as Tech Firm Plans 'Net City' |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-tencent-plays-master-builder-as-tech-firm-plans-net-city-11591704000 |url-status=live |access-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616235958/https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-tencent-plays-master-builder-as-tech-firm-plans-net-city-11591704000 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Oscar |title=Tencent is building a Monaco-sized 'city of the future' in Shenzhen |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/tencent-shenzhen-net-city/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617003300/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/tencent-shenzhen-net-city/index.html |archive-date=17 June 2020 |access-date=17 June 2020 |website=CNN |date=16 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
At the end of June 2020, Tencent has increased its direct stake in Nio to 15.1% after acquiring more of the Chinese electric vehicle maker's New York-listed shares recently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent ups stake in Chinese loss-making EV maker Nio |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/36Kr-KrASIA/Tencent-ups-stake-in-Chinese-loss-making-EV-maker-Nio |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref> Tencent spent $10&nbsp;million to buy 1.68&nbsp;million American Depositary Shares earlier in the month, according to Nio's latest filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Shenzhen-based social media and entertainment conglomerate also controls another 16% stake in Nio's ADSs through three of its units. Tencent was the second-largest Nio shareholder in terms of voting rights after Li Bin, founder of the automaker, who held 13.8% in shares but 47% voting rights, according to a March filing by the company.
As of 8 July, they bought another amount of shares increasing their stake in Nio to 16.3%.
== Corporate governance ==
[[File:Pony Ma 2011.jpg|thumb|[[Ma Huateng]], also known as Pony Ma, is the main co-founder of Tencent, and is currently the conglomerate's [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] and [[chairman]].]]
[[File:Martin Lau.jpg|thumb|Martin Lau, who helped with the company's IPO as an investment banker at [[Goldman Sachs]], is currently Tencent's president.]]
Tencent's largest shareholder is [[Prosus]] (majority owned by [[Naspers]]), which owns 25.6% of all shares<ref name = "prosus"/> and hence is the [[Controlling interest|controlling shareholder]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Issues relating to controlling shareholders in a listing application|url = https://www.eylaw.com.hk/en_hk/publications/know-how/hong-kong-ipo-and-corporate-finance/issues-relating-to-controlling-shareholders-in-a-listing-application|access-date = 12 November 2021|archive-date = 12 November 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211112101406/https://www.eylaw.com.hk/en_hk/publications/know-how/hong-kong-ipo-and-corporate-finance/issues-relating-to-controlling-shareholders-in-a-listing-application|url-status = live}}</ref> However, [[Ma Huateng]], co-founder of Tencent, still owns a significant stake (8.42%).
Tencent's headquarters is currently the [[Tencent Binhai Mansion]], also known as the Tencent Seafront Towers, which is located in [[Shenzhen]]'s [[Nanshan District, Shenzhen|Nanshan District]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2019 |title=Tencent Shows Off High Tech Shenzhen Headquarters |url=https://www.mingtiandi.com/real-estate/crelist/tencent-shenzhen-headquarters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503013206/https://www.mingtiandi.com/real-estate/crelist/tencent-shenzhen-headquarters/ |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=Mingtiandi |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition to its headquarters in Shenzhen, Tencent also has offices in [[Beijing]], [[Shanghai]], [[Chengdu]], and [[Guangzhou]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent 腾讯 – Investor Relations |url=https://www.tencent.com/en-us/contactus.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319115656/http://www.tencent.com/en-us/contactus.html |archive-date=19 March 2019 |access-date=6 May 2019 |website= tencent.com}}</ref>
Tencent has a unitary board consisting of Tencent co-founder, [[Chief executive officer|CEO]], and [[chairman]] [[Ma Huateng]], also known as [[Pony Ma]], executive director and [[President (corporate title)|President]] of Tencent Martin Lau, non-executive directors [[Koos Bekker|Jacobus "Koos" Bekker]] and Charles Searle of [[Naspers]], and independent non-executive directors Li Dongsheng, Iain Bruce, Ian Stone, and Yang Siushun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent 腾讯 – Investor Relations |url=https://www.tencent.com/en-us/board.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190506011220/https://www.tencent.com/en-us/board.html |archive-date=6 May 2019 |access-date=6 May 2019 |website= tencent.com}}</ref> Tencent's governance is aided by its Strategy Department, commonly known as SD, which provides business analytics for the corporation's various divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent 腾讯 |url=https://www.tencent.com/en-us/about.html#about-con-4 |access-date=5 January 2021 |website= tencent.com |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130045354/https://www.tencent.com/en-us/about.html#about-con-4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Subsidiaries ===
Tencent has at least four [[Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise]]s and nearly twenty subsidiaries.<ref name="Tencent 2008 Report" />
==== Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. ====
A software development unit that has created, among others, Tencent Traveler and later versions of QQ IM,<ref name="BW1">[https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/TCEHY:US Tencent Holdings LTD] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824013855/https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/stocks?cic_redirect=fallback |date=24 August 2020 }} Bloomberg</ref> as well as some [[mobile software]].<ref name="MS">[http://www.nokia.com/NOKIA_COM_1/Developers/Success_Stories/Media_&_games/Dev_succ_Chinese_Widgets_1.0.pdf China Developers Bring Mobile Widgets to Market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206182038/http://www.nokia.com/NOKIA_COM_1/Developers/Success_Stories/Media_%26_games/Dev_succ_Chinese_Widgets_1.0.pdf |date=6 February 2009 }} nokia.com, 2008.</ref> This subsidiary is located on the Southern District of Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen.<ref name="BW1" /> It also holds a number of patents related to instant messaging and [[massively multiplayer online game]] gaming.<ref name="TT(S) Patents">{{cite web | url= http://www.ipexl.com/share/5f23cd110bc3c9b2d2ca421096618168 | title= IPEXL Search > Patent Directory > Tencent Technology Shenzhen Company Limited | website= ipexl.com | publisher=  | date=  | access-date=  | archive-date= 7 April 2022 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220407155910/https://www.ipexl.com/share/5f23cd110bc3c9b2d2ca421096618168 | url-status= dead }}</ref>
==== Shenzhen Yayue Technology ====
In 2023, an entity controlled by the state-owned [[China Internet Investment Fund]] took a [[golden share]] investment in Shenzhen Yayue Technology.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ye |first=Josh |date=19 October 2023 |title=Beijing takes 'golden share' in a Tencent subsidiary, records show |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/beijing-takes-golden-share-tencent-subsidiary-records-show-2023-10-19/ |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> The stock price of Tencent sank when news of the deal was published.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 November 2023 |title=Xi Jinping's grip on Chinese enterprise gets uncomfortably tight |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/26/xi-jinpings-grip-on-chinese-enterprise-gets-uncomfortably-tight |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 November 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |quote=State investors have also been taking "golden shares", tiny stakes that grant outsized voting powers, in China’s internet giants. In October it was revealed that a government agency had taken a 1% stake in a subsidiary belonging to Tencent, China’s mightiest internet titan.}}</ref>
=== Research ===
In 2007, Tencent invested over RMB100 million in the establishment of the Tencent Research Institute, which became China's first research center dedicated to core Internet technologies.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steiber |first=Annika |title=Management in the digital age: Will China surpass Silicon Valley? |date=2018 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-67489-6 |location=Cham, Switzerland |pages=87 |oclc=1008760930}}</ref> The campuses are located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent |url=https://www.sdxcentral.com/listings/tencent-inc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331150912/https://www.sdxcentral.com/listings/tencent-inc/ |archive-date=31 March 2017}}</ref>
In 2012, Tencent launched Tencent YouTu Lab, an AI research department that focuses on computer vision, including optical character recognition (OCR), image understanding, and generation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tencent YouTu Lab {{!}} ECCV 2020 |url=https://eccv2020.eu/tencent-youtu-lab/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=eccv2020.eu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Liao |first=Rita |date=2019-01-03 |title=Tencent AI Lab loses key executive |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/03/tencent-ai-lab-loses-key-executive/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2020, as part of Tencent’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 and future pandemic, Tencent established an AI Joint Lab with respiratory disease expert [[Zhong Nanshan]] to conduct research on disease screening, prevention, and outbreak warnings.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2020-02-28 |title=Tencent teams up with 'Sars hero' on AI, big data lab to tackle coronavirus |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/science-research/article/3052866/tencent-teams-sars-hero-zhong-nanshan-ai-big-data-lab-combat |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Tencent debuted its large language model Hunyuan for enterprise use.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-07 |title=Tencent launches Hunyuan foundation AI model for enterprises |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3233753/tencent-unveils-hunyuan-foundation-ai-model-enterprises-public-debut-internet-giants-chatbot-remains |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, Tencent announced its partnership with the [[Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences]] (CAAS) to establish a Digital Seed Bank at the Tencent Science and Technology Museum.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-20 |title=20 Most Valuable Asian Companies Heading into 2024 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-most-valuable-asian-companies-120957343.html |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Chinese government partnerships ===
The Chinese government views Tencent as one of its [[National champions|national champion]] corporations.<ref name=":Curtis&Klaus">{{Cite book |last1=Curtis |first1=Simon |title=The Belt and Road City: Geopolitics, Urbanization, and China's Search for a New International Order |last2=Klaus |first2=Ian |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |isbn=9780300266900 |location=New Haven and London |publication-date=2024 |doi=10.2307/jj.11589102 |jstor=jj.11589102}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=156–157}}
For the occasion of the [[19th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party]], Tencent released a mobile game titled "Clap for [[Xi Jinping]]: An Awesome Speech", in which players have 19 seconds to generate as many claps as possible for the party leader.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Abkowitz |first=Alyssa |date=19 October 2017 |title=Three Cheers for Xi Jinping! Wait, Make That a Billion |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-launches-smartphone-game-in-support-of-chinas-president-1508415173 |url-status=live |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019234630/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tencent-launches-smartphone-game-in-support-of-chinas-president-1508415173 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
In August 2019, it was reported that Tencent collaborated with the propaganda department of the [[Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]] and the ''[[People's Daily]]'' to develop "patriotic games".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Huang |first=Zheping |date=6 August 2019 |title=Tencent Helps Communist Party Pay Homage to the China Dream |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-06/tencent-helps-communist-party-pay-homage-to-the-china-dream |url-status=live |access-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812045321/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-06/tencent-helps-communist-party-pay-homage-to-the-china-dream |archive-date=12 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Li |first1=Pei |last2=Goh |first2=Brenda |date=5 August 2019 |title='Homeland Dream': Chinese gaming giants unveil titles that play up patriotic values |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-gaming-idUSKCN1UV0YC |url-status=live |access-date=12 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812052142/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-gaming-idUSKCN1UV0YC |archive-date=12 August 2019}}</ref>
In a December 2020 article in ''[[Foreign Policy]]'', a former senior official of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] stated that the CIA concluded that Tencent received funding from the [[Ministry of State Security (China)|Ministry of State Security]] early on in its foundation. This was said to be a "seed investment" that was provided "when they were trying to build out the [[Great Firewall]] and the monitoring technology." Tencent denied this allegation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dorfman |first=Zach |date=23 December 2020 |title=Tech Giants Are Giving China a Vital Edge in Espionage |work=[[Foreign Policy]] |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/12/23/china-tech-giants-process-stolen-data-spy-agencies/ |access-date=25 December 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125221119/https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/12/23/china-tech-giants-process-stolen-data-spy-agencies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2021, it was reported that Tencent and [[Ant Group]] were working with the [[People's Bank of China]] to develop a [[Central bank digital currency]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Huang |first1=Joyce |title=China's Central Bank Works with Ant, Tencent to Develop Digital Currency |url=https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/voa-news-china/chinas-central-bank-works-ant-tencent-develop-digital-currency |access-date=5 May 2021 |work=Voice of America |date=2 May 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505130711/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/voa-news-china/chinas-central-bank-works-ant-tencent-develop-digital-currency |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Feng |first1=Coco |title=China digital currency: fintech giant Ant Group reveals partnership history with People's Bank of China |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3131071/china-digital-currency-fintech-giant-ant-group-reveals-partnership |access-date=5 May 2021 |work=South China Morning Post |date=26 April 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505000458/https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3131071/china-digital-currency-fintech-giant-ant-group-reveals-partnership |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2022, Tencent partnered with [[Shanghai United Media Group]] to launch a plan to develop domestic and foreign [[Internet celebrity|influencers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bagshaw |first=Eryk |date=26 November 2023 |title=The hired-gun influencers who are 'ready to stand up for China' |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/asia/the-hired-gun-influencers-who-are-ready-to-stand-up-for-china-20230614-p5dgm9.html |access-date=26 November 2023 |website=[[The Age]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Environmental ===
Tencent participates in many carbon reduction programs and partnerships.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last1=Prashantham |first1=Shameen |last2=Woetzel |first2=Lola |date=2024-05-01 |title=To Create a Greener Future, the West Can't Ignore China |url=https://hbr.org/2024/05/to-create-a-greener-future-the-west-cant-ignore-china |access-date=2024-07-22 |work=[[Harvard Business Review]] |issn=0017-8012}}</ref> Tencent’s Global Carbon Neutral Technology Alliance shares carbon neutrality patents and technologies for free and includes competitors like Alibaba and Microsoft.<ref name=":8" /> Tencent's CarbonX Program is a [[Startup accelerator|business accelerator]] and digital capability program which aims to develop low-carbon technologies.<ref name=":8" /> In December 2022, Tencent launched TanLIVE, a climate  a co-developed platform which aims to bring together resources for climate change solutions in China.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-21 |title=Tencent launches platform to spur innovation in low-carbon technology |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3204153/climate-change-tencent-aims-spur-chinas-low-carbon-technology-development-commercialisation-online |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref>
Tencent participates in the Science Based Targets initiative launched by the UN Global Compact, which provides a platform for setting science-based net-zero targets.<ref name=":8" /> In 2022, Tencent established a goal of making the company and its supply chain [[Net zero emissions|carbon neutral]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Brenda |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Chinese Tech Giant Tencent Pledges Carbon Neutrality by 2030 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/chinese-tech-giant-tencent-pledges-carbon-neutrality-by-2030-2022-02-24/ |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>
== Controversies ==
=== Allegations of copying ===
Many of Tencent's software and services share similarities to those of competitors,<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Einhorn|first1=Bruce|last2=Stone|first2=Brad|date=5 August 2011|title=Tencent: March of the Penguins|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-08-04/tencent-march-of-the-penguins|access-date=6 July 2021|website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709192120/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-08-04/tencent-march-of-the-penguins|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ye|first=Josh|date=24 April 2019|title=There's a Pokémon Go clone from Tencent that copies almost everything|url=https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029303/theres-pokemon-go-clone-tencent-copies-almost-everything|access-date=6 July 2021|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184559/https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029303/theres-pokemon-go-clone-tencent-copies-almost-everything|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gobry|first=Pascal-Emmanuel|title=Tencent, China's $45 Billion Social Network Behemoth, Is All About Copying Others|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tencent-2011-8|access-date=6 July 2021|website=Business Insider|language=en-US|quote="[...], Tencent started out as a copycat and then innovated on its own in response to the local market. Thus Tencent's QQ started out as an ICQ clone but then added funny avatars to conform to young Chinese people's tastes."|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183139/https://www.businessinsider.com/tencent-2011-8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Porter|first=Matt|date=17 August 2017|title=No-one wants to talk about Tencent, the biggest gaming company in the world|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/tencent-stock-pc-games/|website=[[PCGamesN]]|quote="Why is [Tencent's [[Crossfire (2007 video game)|Crossfire (video game)]]] so popular? Well, if you’re familiar with Counter-Strike, it’ll be easy to see why. It's remarkably similar to what many people say is the shooter of all shooters, [...]."|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=13 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713072334/https://www.pcgamesn.com/tencent-stock-pc-games|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=McGuire|first=Keegan|date=2020-10-08|title=The Shady Side Of Tencent|url=https://www.looper.com/258562/the-shady-side-of-tencent/|access-date=2021-07-06|website=Looper.com|language=en-US|quote="QQ Speed, named for its platform on Tencent's QQ instant messaging service [...], borrowed liberally from Mario Kart and made little effort to hide it. More recently, Tencent announced a high-profile cyberpunk game, Syn. However, gamers were quick to notice that the game was very similar to the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077."|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184932/https://www.looper.com/258562/the-shady-side-of-tencent/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Yuan|first=Li|date=2021-06-02|title=Why China's Most-Hated Internet Company Decided to Play Nice|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/technology/china-tencent-monopoly.html|access-date=2021-07-06|issn=0362-4331|quote="[Tencent] wouldn’t hesitate to copy somebody else’s idea and drive the upstart out of business. Its top executives were confronted at industry conferences and in media interviews. Entrepreneurs called it the industry’s most brazen copycat."|archive-date=6 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706235723/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/technology/china-tencent-monopoly.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and to their {{awrap|own.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Custer|first=C.|date=27 Jul 2016|title=China's top mobile game is a complete League of Legends ripoff|url=https://www.techinasia.com/chinas-top-mobile-game-complete-league-legends-ripoff|access-date=2021-07-06|website= techinasia.com|language=en-US|quote="[[Honor of Kings]] is also a pretty complete copy of League of Legends. Now, to be fair, this isn’t an issue of a Chinese company stealing IP. King of Glory was created by Tencent, which also wholly owns League of Legends creator Riot Games, [...]."|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210711135620/https://www.techinasia.com/chinas-top-mobile-game-complete-league-legends-ripoff|url-status=live}}</ref>}} The founder and [[chairman]], [[Ma Huateng|Huateng "Pony" Ma]], famously said, "[To] copy is not evil." A former CEO and president of [[SINA.com]], [[Wang Zhidong]], said, "[[Pony Ma]] is a notorious king of copying." [[Jack Ma]] of Alibaba Group stated, "The problem with Tencent is the lack of innovation; all of their products are copies."<ref>[https://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.xinhuanet.com%2Fzgjx%2F2007-04%2F13%2Fcontent_5973072.htm Tencent's innovation is copied...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224003247/http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.xinhuanet.com%2Fzgjx%2F2007-04%2F13%2Fcontent_5973072.htm |date=24 December 2015 }} '''Machine translation''' [[Xinhua News Agency]], 13 April 2007.</ref>
In 1996, an Israeli company named [[Mirabilis (company)|Mirabilis]] released one of the first stand alone instant messaging clients named [[ICQ]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=What Ever Happened to ICQ?|url=https://www.techspot.com/article/1771-icq/|access-date=29 September 2021|website=TechSpot|language=en-US|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001022750/https://www.techspot.com/article/1771-icq/|url-status=live}}</ref> Three years later, Tencent released a copied version of ICQ, naming it OICQ, which stands for Open ICQ.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|date=9 October 2017|title=QQ: The biggest digital platform you've never heard of|url=https://www.clickz.com/qq-the-biggest-digital-platform-youve-never-heard-of/113476/|access-date=29 September 2021|website=ClickZ|language=en-US|archive-date=21 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121211322/https://www.clickz.com/qq-the-biggest-digital-platform-youve-never-heard-of/113476/|url-status=live}}</ref> After losing a lawsuit against [[AOL]], which bought ICQ in 1998, for violating ICQ's [[Intellectual property|intellectual property rights]], Tencent released a new version of OICQ in December 2000 and rebranded it [[Tencent QQ|QQ]].<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|title=A mysterious message millionaire|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2009-01/12/content_7388202.htm|access-date=29 September 2021|website= chinadaily.com.cn|archive-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114082239/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2009-01/12/content_7388202.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> With its model of free-to-use and charging for customizing personal avatars, QQ hit 50 million users in its second year, 856&nbsp;million users and at most 45.3&nbsp;million synchronous users in 2008.<ref name="auto1"/>
During early stages of company development and expansion, Tencent has been widely accused of stealing ideas from its competitors and creating counterfeit copies of their products.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|last=Yuan|first=Li|date=2 June 2021|title=Why China's Most-Hated Internet Company Decided to Play Nice| language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/technology/china-tencent-monopoly.html|access-date=29 September 2021 |issn= 0362-4331|archive-date=6 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706235723/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/technology/china-tencent-monopoly.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto3"/> Some of the criticisms aimed at Tencent in this regard are that QQ farm was a direct copy of [[Happy Farm]], QQ dance originated from [[Audition Online]], and that QQ speed featured gameplay highly similar to [[Crazyracing Kartrider]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=sina_mobile|date=8 May 2018|title=19年间, 腾讯抄袭了哪些游戏? 如何凭借这些上位中国游戏巨头?|url= https://k.sina.cn/article_6500004695_1836e3357001005xhr.html?from=game|access-date=29 September 2021|website=k.sina.cn|archive-date=1 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001022744/https://k.sina.cn/article_6500004695_1836e3357001005xhr.html?from=game|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2023, Tencent's trailer for their new MMORPG, ''[[Tarisland]]'', was said to resemble [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]]'s [[World of Warcraft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koch |first=Cameron |title=New Tencent MMO Tarisland Is Already Being Called A WoW Clone By Fans |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-tencent-mmo-tarisland-is-already-being-called-a-wow-clone-by-fans/1100-6510745/#:~:text=Chinese%20gaming%20giant%20Tencent%20recently,exaggerated,%20more%20cartoonish%20art%20style. |access-date=23 February 2023 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Tencent's acquisitions ===
In general, Tencent does not seek to acquire controlling stakes when it invests in other companies.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=93}} It usually deems minority ownership sufficient to build connections and acquire technology.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=93}}
In a partial effort to rebuild the reputation of Tencent lost from allegations of copying, Tencent adjusted its strategy by aggressively investing in the acquisition of other companies, rather than in the replication of them. By 2020, Tencent had invested in over 800 companies across the world.<ref name="auto2"/> During 2012 and 2019, Tencent has invested from minority stakes to majority stakes in world-wide-famous game companies such as [[Riot Games]], [[Epic Games]], [[Activision Blizzard]], [[Supercell (video game company)|SuperCell]], and [[Krafton|Bluehole]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=虎嗅APP|date=23 July 2020|title=为什么全球游戏公司都爱拿腾讯的钱？|url=https://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2020-07-23/doc-iivhuipn4736066.shtml|access-date=29 September 2021|website=tech.sina.com.cn|archive-date=14 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214222014/https://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2020-07-23/doc-iivhuipn4736066.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> While aggressive acquisitions may benefit Tencent due to factors such as reduction in competition and monopolization, it may not benefit the acquired companies in terms of their growth and innovation. Colin Huang, founder of Pinduoduo, said "Tencent won't die when Pinduoduo dies, because it has tens of thousands of sons."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yuan |first=Li |date=2 June 2021 |title=Why China's Most-Hated Internet Company Decided to Play Nice |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/technology/china-tencent-monopoly.html |access-date=31 January 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
=== Security concerns ===
In 2015, security testing firms [[AV-Comparatives]], [[AV-TEST]] and [[Virus Bulletin]] jointly decided to remove Tencent from their software [[whitelist]]s. The Tencent products supplied for testing were found to contain optimisations that made the software appear less exploitable when benchmarked but actually provided greater scope for delivering exploits.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomson |first=Iain |title=Tencent stripped of antivirus rankings for cheating on tests |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/05/06/antivirus_testers_strip_tencent_of_rankings_after_tweaks_put_users_at_risk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529222542/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/05/06/antivirus_testers_strip_tencent_of_rankings_after_tweaks_put_users_at_risk/ |archive-date=29 May 2015 |access-date=5 June 2015 |website=The Register}}</ref> Additionally, software settings were detrimental to end-users protection if used. [[Qihoo]] was later also accused of cheating, while Tencent was accused of actively [[Gaming the system|gaming]] the anti-malware tests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ilascu |first=Ionut |title=Security Vendor Tencent Optimizes Antivirus for Better Independent Test Results |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Security-Vendor-Tencent-Optimizes-Antivirus-for-Better-Independent-Test-Results-480299.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531203729/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Security-Vendor-Tencent-Optimizes-Antivirus-for-Better-Independent-Test-Results-480299.shtml |archive-date=31 May 2015 |access-date=5 June 2015 |website=Softpedia|date=6 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hachman |first=Mark |title=Tencent, Qihoo antimalware firms are accused of cheating, stripped of rankings in antivirus tests |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2919554/tencent-qihoo-antimalware-firms-are-accused-of-cheating-stripped-of-rankings-in-antivirus-tests.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531031236/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2919554/tencent-qihoo-antimalware-firms-are-accused-of-cheating-stripped-of-rankings-in-antivirus-tests.html |archive-date=31 May 2015 |access-date=5 June 2015 |website=PCWorld}}</ref>
=== Major litigation ===
Since 2018, Tencent has been in litigation with [[ByteDance]].<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=109}} ByteDance and its affiliates brought a series of [[Anti-competitive practices|unfair competition]] lawsuits against Tencent, alleging that Tencent was blocking their content.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=109}} As of at least early 2024, these lawsuits had not reached resolution, largely due to disputes about jurisdiction.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=109}} Tencent filed two lawsuits against ByteDance and its affiliates, alleging that they were using WeChat and QQ profiles without authorization and illegally crawling data from public WeChat accounts.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=109}} Tencent obtained an injunction barring ByteDance from this practice.<ref name=":Zhang" />{{Rp|page=109}}
=== Censorship ===
Tencent's [[WeChat]] platform has been accused of blocking [[TikTok]] videos and the censorship of politically sensitive content.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent and Toutiao come out swinging at each other |language=en-US |url=https://asiatimes.com/article/tencent-and-toutiao-come-out-swinging-at-each-other/ |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524231909/https://asiatimes.com/2018/06/tencent-and-toutiao-come-out-swinging-at-each-other/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tencent sues Toutiao for alleged defamation, demands 1 yuan and apology |work=TODAYonline |url=https://www.todayonline.com/world/tencent-sues-toutiao-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology |url-status=dead|access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011133612/https://www.todayonline.com/world/tencent-sues-toutiao-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology |archive-date=11 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ruan |first1=Lotus |last2=Crete-Nishihata |first2=Masashi |last3=Knockel |first3=Jeffrey |last4=Xiong |first4=Ruohan |last5=Dalek |first5=Jakub |date=2 July 2020 |title=The Intermingling of State and Private Companies: Analysing Censorship of the 19th National Communist Party Congress on WeChat |journal=The China Quarterly |volume=246 |language=en |pages=497–526 |doi=10.1017/S0305741020000491 |issn=0305-7410 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In April 2018, TikTok sued Tencent and accused it of spreading false and damaging information on its WeChat platform, demanding [[Renminbi|RMB]] 1 million in compensation and an apology. In June 2018, Tencent filed a lawsuit against [[Toutiao]] and TikTok in a Beijing court, alleging they had repeatedly defamed Tencent with negative news and damaged its reputation, seeking a nominal sum of RMB 1 million in compensation and a public apology.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jiang |first=Sijia |date=1 June 2018 |title=Tencent sues Toutiao for alleged defamation, demands 1 yuan and apology |language=en-US |work=Reuters (U.S.) |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-toutiao-lawsuit/tencent-sues-toutiao-for-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology-idUSKCN1IX4MB |url-status=live |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011133631/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tencent-toutiao-lawsuit/tencent-sues-toutiao-for-alleged-defamation-demands-1-yuan-and-apology-idUSKCN1IX4MB |archive-date=11 October 2018}}</ref> In response, Toutiao filed a complaint the following day against Tencent for allegedly [[unfair competition]] and asking for RMB 90 million in economic losses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yijun |first=Yin |date=4 June 2018 |title=Tencent and ByteDance Take Ongoing Feud to Court |work=[[Sixth Tone]] |url=https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002406/tencent-and-bytedance-take-ongoing-feud-to-court |access-date=10 October 2020 |archive-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125202442/https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002406/tencent-and-bytedance-take-ongoing-feud-to-court |url-status=live }}</ref>
However, [[Tim Sweeney (game developer)|Tim Sweeney]], the CEO and founder of [[Epic Games]], maker of the popular game ''[[Fortnite]]'', tweeted that his company would never follow suit and punish people for expressing their opinions, even though Tencent is a 40% stakeholder in Epic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webb |first=Kevin |title='Fortnite' creator says it won't punish players for speaking out about politics, as Blizzard faces backlash and calls for a boycott after banning competitor for supporting Hong Kong protests |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/epic-unlike-blizzard-wont-ban-players-talking-politics-hong-kong-2019-10 |website=Business Insider |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126155513/https://www.businessinsider.com/epic-unlike-blizzard-wont-ban-players-talking-politics-hong-kong-2019-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a statement, Sweeney said it would "never happen on [his] watch", and emphasized that Epic is an American company, implying that it would not compromise an ethos of free speech to curry favor with Chinese authorities in the pursuit of maximum profit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=9 October 2019 |title=Fortnite maker CEO says he will never cut ties with a player for pro-Hong Kong views {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/09/tech/fortnite-hong-kong/index.html |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
Later in October 2019, Tencent announced it would stop broadcasting [[Houston Rockets]] [[NBA]] games in China due to a tweet made by [[Daryl Morey]], general manager of the Rockets, that was supportive of protestors in the [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests]]. Although Morey's tweet was hastily deleted, news of it was quickly reported all around the world, and the NBA went on to spend months attempting damage control in China.<ref>{{Cite web |last=He |first=Laura |date=7 October 2019 |title=China suspends business ties with NBA's Houston Rockets over Hong Kong tweet {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/07/business/houston-rockets-nba-china-daryl-morey/index.html |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
In December 2019, the Chinese government ordered Tencent to improve the firm's user data rules for its apps, which regulators regarded to be in violation of censorship rules.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2019 |title=China targets tech giants in app privacy crackdown |url=https://apnews.com/83963110521ed4b1d8f94a7d45b0fb3d |access-date=16 September 2020 |website=AP NEWS |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111003956/https://apnews.com/83963110521ed4b1d8f94a7d45b0fb3d |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 2021, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed in California against Tencent, alleging user censorship and surveillance via [[WeChat]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whalen |first=Jeanne |date=20 January 2021 |title=California plaintiffs sue Chinese tech giant Tencent, alleging WeChat app is censoring and surveilling them |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/20/wechat-class-action-lawsuit-us/ | issn=0190-8286 |oclc=2269358 |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127230113/https://www.washingtonpost.com/gdpr-consent/?next_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Ftechnology%2F2021%2F01%2F20%2Fwechat-class-action-lawsuit-us%2F |url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2022, [[Sustainalytics]] downgraded Tencent to "non-compliant" with the [[United Nations Global Compact]] principles due to complicity with censorship.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 November 2022 |title=Tencent, Baidu, Weibo downgraded by Morningstar ESG unit over censorship |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/china-esg-downgrade-idUSL4N32320Q |access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref>
=== 2020 U.S. executive order on WeChat ===
On 6 August 2020, President [[Donald Trump]] signed two [[executive order]]s, one directed at TikTok and one at WeChat. The TikTok order dictated that within 45 days from its signing (20 September 2020) that it would ban transactions involving the TikTok app with ByteDance, effectively banning the TikTok app in the United States, under threat of penalty. [[TikTok v. Trump|TikTok sued Trump]] over the executive order, which was later revoked under [[Joe Biden]]'s [[Presidency of Joe Biden|administration]], causing the lawsuit to be dismissed in July 2021. The order for WeChat contained the same information but targeting the WeChat app and related transactions for Tencent. In the case of ByteDance, the order would be canceled should an American company acquire it, which [[Microsoft]] had been openly spoken of, but there are unlikely any immediate buyers for Tencent in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Carvajal |first1=Nikki |last2=Kelly |first2=Caroline |date=6 August 2020 |title=Trump issues orders banning TikTok and WeChat from operating in 45 days if they are not sold by Chinese parent companies |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/politics/trump-executive-order-tiktok/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810020022/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/06/politics/trump-executive-order-tiktok/index.html |archive-date=10 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reporter Sam Dean affirmed from the White House that this does not affect other facets of Tencent's ownerships in American companies such as with its video game companies.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Favis |first1=Elise |title=Trump executive order against Tencent-owned companies does not affect video game holdings |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/08/07/trump-executive-order-against-tencent-owned-companies-does-not-affect-video-game-holdings/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=7 August 2020 |department=Launcher | issn=0190-8286 |oclc=2269358 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812130705/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/08/07/trump-executive-order-against-tencent-owned-companies-does-not-affect-video-game-holdings/ |archive-date=12 August 2020 |id={{ProQuest|2431127271}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam Dean 🦅 on Twitter: "Video game companies owned by Tencent will NOT be affected by this executive order! White House official confirmed to the LA Times that the EO only blocks transactions related to WeChat So Riot Games (League of Legends), Epic Games (Fortnite), et al are safe (Pending updates)" |url=https://twitter.com/SamAugustDean/status/1291576813685108736 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807040758/https://twitter.com/SamAugustDean/status/1291576813685108736 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|China|Companies|Internet}}
* [[Foxmail]]
* [[Pengyou]]
* [[QQ browser]]
* [[Qzone]]
* [[Sogou]]
* [[Tencent Maps]]
{{Clear}}
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
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