Influence Empire

by Lulu Chen
Influence Empire cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Technical
  • ID: 2683
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Financial Times · 2022-11-30
critical 4.50

The book charts the success of WeChat and its impact on Beijing's censorship and control. It is seen as a timely and critical examination of Tencent's role in China's tech landscape.

The Financial Times review notes that 'Influence Empire' charts how the success of WeChat has placed Tencent at the forefront of Beijing's censorship and control. They find the book to be a timely and critical examination of Tencent's role in China's tech landscape, highlighting the company's influence and the challenges it faces in a shifting political environment. The reviewer appreciates the book's exploration of the complexities and nuances of Tencent's position within China's technology sector, offering valuable insights into the company's strategies and the broader implications for global technology and governance.

Quick quotes

    Lulu Chen's book charts how the success of WeChat has placed Pony Ma's tech empire at the forefront of Beijing's censorship and control.

    It is a timely and critical examination of Tencent's role in China's tech landscape.

    The book offers valuable insights into the company's strategies and the broader implications for global technology and governance.

Goodreads · 2022-07-14
informative 4.20

The book is praised for being more than just a story about Tencent and WeChat, offering a broader perspective on China's internet and technology sector. It is seen as a comprehensive and informative read.

Goodreads reviewers highlight that 'Influence Empire' is much more than the long-awaited story of Tencent and its vital app, WeChat. They appreciate the book's broad perspective, which includes discussions on the uniqueness of China's internet, the mobile payment revolution, and the concept of superapps. Reviewers find the book to be very informative, taking readers beyond just the inception and products of Tencent, and delving into the stories of the people behind the company. They particularly enjoy the detailed exploration of Tencent's role in China's technology space and its dominance in the sector.

Quick quotes

    Influence Empire by Lulu Yilun Chen is so much more than the long-awaited story of Tencent and its vital everything app, WeChat.

    The book consists of 4 sections that discuss the uniqueness of China's internet, the WeChat story, the mobile payment revolution and superapps in and beyond.

    Very informative. This book took the readers beyond just its inception and the product, but really told the story about the people behind.

The Guardian · 2022-07-13
fascinating 4.00

The book provides a comprehensive look at Tencent's symbiotic relationship with the Chinese government, highlighting its significant impact on Chinese technology. It offers a detailed examination of the company's rise and its role in shaping the tech landscape.

The Guardian's review praises 'Influence Empire' for its deep dive into Tencent's history and its intricate relationship with the Chinese government. They appreciate the book's ability to shed light on how Tencent has influenced and been influenced by China's political and technological environment. The reviewer finds the exploration of Tencent's role in creating the golden era of Chinese technology particularly compelling, offering valuable insights into the company's strategies and impact. They also highlight the book's timely relevance, given the ongoing developments in global technology and geopolitics.

Quick quotes

    A fascinating study of the tech giant and its symbiotic relationship with the Chinese government.

    The book offers a detailed examination of the company's rise and its role in shaping the tech landscape.

    It sheds light on how Tencent has influenced and been influenced by China's political and technological environment.

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