Facebook Wants To Tap China Market; Meets Country's Propaganda Chief

In most parts of the world, Facebook reigns supreme as the largest social network founded by its current exec Mark Zuckerberg.

However, China's rigid censorship rules effectively ban Facebook in operating in the most populous nation on earth. But this hasn't stopped the young tech chief from making inroads into the large Chinese market with its immense opportunities.

Zuckerberg attended a Beijing-sponsored conference called China Development Forum bringing in global business executives and China's top political elite for a discussion on how to encourage innovation in the world's second largest economy.

In fact, Zuckerberg has had met with the communist regime's propaganda chief Liu Yushan on the sidelines of the forum  in what many analysts observe as tech giant's attempt to court Chinese leaders into tapping into the world's largest internet user base as reported by Review Times.

Some observers, however, noted that the meeting could more of a courtesy call than a business deal.

"Liu expressed hope that Facebook, which has advanced technology and governance mode, should work with Chinese internet enterprises to enhance exchanges and share experience so as to make outcome of the internet development better benefit the people of all countries," a statement from China's official news service Xinhua as quoted by Time.

But even if the rare meeting was only a courtesy call, it could suggest a start of a possible warming of relations with Facebook and the Chinese government. Liu reportedly praised the Silicon Valley giant for its 'technology and management methods'.

Jack Ma, the head of Alibaba group (the Chinese version of Amazon), also praised Zuckerberg during the forum.

"He respects the Chinese and Oriental culture by instinct. Not because he wants to make money," said Ma as quoted by Sino-US.

While a start of warming relations may be on the horizon, it may take a while before both sides could find a common ground. US-based social media companies have always been keen on promoting free speech as much as possible. Likewise, Beijing sends a strong message to web-based platforms (domestic or foreign) that online content should 'promote core socialist values'.