Why is China so strange? Why does China have their own version of Facebook, Twitter, GPS, Google, YouTube...?

[skinnycap399]

Why aren't they part of the Western system?

[Mary]

because they are in the other side of the world and they speak another language

[Exco]

"Their" version of Facebook, or Twitter, are tailored to suit the Chinese market, and predominantly used by Chinese users. You'll find most countries have their own local preference to social and search websites - Japan and South Korea all have their own specially-tailored search engines, just as Google is tailored primarily for English users.

But of course, another reason is the Chinese government can efficiently monitor their own country's websites, whereas it's a diplomatic nightmare to control international websites, hence, they blocked certain international websites (Facebook, Youtube), but you can still use Google (Hong Kong) and Twitter in China.

GPS was an American military technology for tracking soldiers, it was not used for civilian purposes until Bill Clinton issued a policy directive in 1996.

"In addition to GPS, other systems are in use or under development. The Russian GLObal NAvigation Satellite System (GLONASS) was in use by only the Russian military, until it was made fully available to civilians in 2007. There are also the planned European Union Galileo positioning system, Chinese Compass navigation system, and Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System". - from Wikipedia

Most countries are like China with their own preferences to social networking, not everybody use Facebook.

[john]

Because China is not a free country and the chinese government needs to control everything chinese people do to make sure they will not rebel against the chinese government

[K]

1) censorship
2) why not encourage local companies to boost your own economy
3) different societies have different preferences
4) if you submit yourself to every western country you will soon yourself at their mercy

[sailor8]

By strange you must be comparing China to where you live. It is not such a good idea to compare nations, they might not have the same agendas. As for the Chinese web, it is much easier to control a web that belongs to you than to try and control (do things the other web services do not agree with) somebody else's web.

[Sam]

China has always been an insular country throughout history.

Also, the previously mentioned points:

1. It's good for their own economy

and

2. They can control it, whereas a foreign company they can't.

[patrickhschan]

They banned Youtube. How can they use Youtube if they banned it? They banned it because it contained disrespectful content. Also, the Chinese Government isn't that nice either. Plus, its easier to use the Chinese version of Google because of the Chinese Websites popping up. It's easier in your own mothertongue, to think of it.

[Anna]

yes, I totally agree with John.