China’s biggest selfie app Meitu turns its eye to social networking

With 455 million monthly active users, photo-enhancement app Meitu is turning itself into a photo-social platform, with plans to expand into games, online literature, even claw crane machines

Celia Chenin Shenzhen
A staff member of Meitu demonstrates the company's software product. Photo: Xinhua

When it comes to how people like their selfies touched up, Meitu CEO Wu Xinhong has learnt that different nationalities and age groups have very different preferences.

Norwegian women like to keep their freckles. Chinese users want to banish their blemishes. In India, more men than women use the Chinese company’s photo-enhancement app. In South America, selfie-takers want bright colours in their portraits. Everywhere, the old want to look young, while the young want to look mature.

Print option is available for subscribers only.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.