China’s laws bans citizens from using Facebook

Jan 13, 2015 14:26 GMT  ·  By

Facebook has repeatedly been trying to sneak its way into the mobile world, attempting to jump over the boundaries set by its mobile application.

You might remember that the social media giant partnered up with HTC for the HTC First which was a handset bundled with the Facebook Home application. The app was designed to actually be a replacement for the existing home screen on an Android device.

It also allowed users to easily view and post content on Facebook along with launching apps, plus providing a replacement lock screen for notifications coming from Facebook and other apps.

Facebook’s attempt to dazzle the mobile world failed

But users weren't particular taken with the app, nor did the HTC First sell all that well. So Facebook moved on to greener pastures.

Well, a new report coming to us via Reuters reveals Facebook is ready yet again to dab into the waters of the mobile world.

Apparently, Facebook’s top crowd, including the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, were recently in China, not on vacation (naturally) but to conduct business.

Even if Facebook (and Twitter) is blocked in the country, citing national security concerns, the social media giant is not giving up on China.

Actually, according to the report, the Facebook team met with representatives from one of the country’s most popular smartphone manufacturers, Xiaomi.

It’s unclear what representatives of the two companies discussed over a private dinner, but it’s possible a discussion related to a mutual partnership might have been the topic du jour.

Facebook and Xiaomi – the love story that never was

Nevertheless, a deal failed to materialize, as Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jui expressed concern related to a possible political fall-out. Since Facebook has been banned in the country ever since 2009, such a deal would most likely gain the status of a scandal.

Even if nothing came out of these discussions, one thing’s quite obvious. Facebook is actively trying to break the Chinese market in order to expand its dominion around the world. But are its efforts doomed from the start, due to the country’s harsh ruling system?

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Facebook has been banned in China
Facebook and Xiaomi talked businessHTC First was one of Facebook's attempts at penetrating the mobile world
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