From messaging to social media to a marketplace to browsing the internet, WeChat is the app the does everything. While Western companies and app developers race to unbundle their services into efficient single-purpose apps, WeChat continues to add feature after feature.

Shanghai has signed a historic agreement with media conglomerate Tencent, to turn the Chinese megapolis into a tech-enabled smart city. But within the futuristic plans is a familiar presence; the entire operation will run on China’s most popular social network, WeChat.

Sending voice messages via WeChat and QQ has taken off in China as people look to save time typing and better communicate their emotions with friends and family. Anonymous platform Tings is hoping to connect people around the world through this purest form of expression.

While Jurassic World dominated screens in the US, a very different beast was making its mark in Chinese cinemas. Monster Hunt, the story of Wuba, a cute, adorable ‘monster’ born to be king, became the highest grossing Chinese movie of all time. What’s driving people to cinemas? And could the domestic industry ever rival Hollywood?