Photo:VCG

Tencent said on Friday that users can access external links in the one-to-one chat scene after upgrading to the latest version of WeChat, a move that came after Chinese industry authorities ordered internet giants including Alibaba and ByteDance to open up their platforms to each other.

In a statement sent to the Global Times on Friday, Tencent said the adjustment was made in order to implement the special guidance proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology for external link management. 

Under the premise of "security as the bottom line," the first phase of interconnection will be implemented with "four principles and three measures." At the same time, Tencent will also further discuss connectivity with other platforms, it said.

On the premise of ensuring information security, users can access external links in the one-to-one chat scene after upgrading to the latest version of WeChat, Tencent said, adding that it will also establish an external link complaint portal, which allows users to report illegal external links.

Tencent also stated that it will actively cooperate with other internet platforms to jointly implement the special guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, explore the technical possibilities of smoothly using WeChat services on other platforms, and achieve further interconnectivity.

Chinese tech giants including Tencent, ByteDance and Alibaba have quickly responded to the Chinese government's latest regulatory move for the industry, which required them to stop blocking competitors' website links or "face penalties."

Tencent said it will implement the rule step by step while ByteDance called on industry players to make no excuses and stick to specific timetables. Alibaba said it will meet the other platforms halfway.

In a regular briefing on Monday, Zhao Zhiguo, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the country's tech regulator, said that facilitating connectivity in the internet industry is necessary to promote the high-quality development of this sector and major companies should proactively take action to promote instant messaging services and stop blocking links.