facebook in china

How to Access Facebook in China in 2022

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UPDATE - FEBRUARY 2019

Do we have Facebook in China?

No, there is no Facebook in China. China enjoys its own equivalent social networks such as Renren, or the omnipresent WeChat. Why is it blocked? Because Facebook cannot be censored if it is not hosted in the country. So, it is behind the Great Firewall.

Is there Facebook in Shanghai?

No. There are rumors of certain Shanghai hotels offering lowkey VPN services for guests. But without a VPN, there is no Facebook in Shanghai either.

What sites are blocked in China?

There are many. Refer to my List of Websites Blocked in China.

Can you use social media in China?

Every Western social networking platform is blocked, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Periscope, Line, Kakao Talk and Telegram.

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Is it illegal to use FB in China?

It is if you're doing something that would disappoint the authorities, like posting negative or critical content about China. But as far as I know, there isn't a specific law against Facebook itself. Consult a legal expert if you're really concerned; nothing on this site is to be used as legal advice.

How to use FB in China on Android or iPhone?

For both cases, you'll require a VPN. There's no getting around it. 

How to use FB in China without a VPN?

There are technical options, but unless you really know what you're doing and have the time to research it, you can't. You need a VPN to access region-blocked content.

What's the deal with Facebook in China?

You might have already known that China actively censors the internet and blocks a lot of different sites. Some sites you might’ve expected to be blocked like Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, and Instagram. But this censorship also extends to many other websites that you might’ve taken for granted.

For example, most people aren’t aware that Google and all Google-related sites are inaccessible. This means you won’t be able to access Gmail, a service many people in the West enjoy. You also won’t be able to access Google Maps or the Play Store to update apps on your Android. iTunes is also blocked.

Does that mean that if you go to visit, you’ll be totally screwed and never be able to access Facebook? No, of course not. Despite the fact that the Chinese Firewall is technologically complex, there are fissures in its seemingly impenetrable enforcement.

Tip: The Great Chinese Firewall still has some gaps when it comes to blocking sites when it comes to SSL certification. When sites sign up for this security feature, it changes the url from “http://” to “https://”. So sometimes, though rarely, you can access certain sites by changing this.

Circumventing China’s Censorship

There are three main options when it comes to bypassing the Great Chinese Firewall:

  • Use Tor
  • Use Proxies
  • Use a VPN

Either you manipulate your connection by tunneling through to the blocked content out of China or you spoof your location to make it appear you’re somewhere you’re not. Don’t worry, it doesn’t require you to be a super-genius to execute these strategies and access Facebook in China.

china

Just so you know, all of the above mentioned strategies often result in slower connections. You should also remember that whatever strategy you pick is likely to become obsolete over time. The Chinese government frequently upgrades their firewall as they don’t their citizens accessing blocked content like Facebook. Despite their intent to keep the population sealed, informed citizens have also become pretty resilient at bypassing the censorship anyway.

It’s not just your precious Facebook. Just take a look at my list of websites blocked in China for details.

Accessing Facebook

#1. Using Tor in China

What is Tor? It’s a network that uses onion to encrypt communications across a global network. What’s interesting about Tor is that it doesn’t require any special software and you can run it off a USB flash drive. The Tor browser is just for viewing blocked content. You can’t use it other Browsers with this technology such as Chrome or Safari.

This is considered a failsafe way to bypass the Great Firewall, but China’s technical leadership have been doing their best to quell its frequent use.
tor

#2. Using a Proxy in China

What is a proxy? A proxy is a server that acts an intermediary between an endpoint device and another server a user or client requesting service. Though Chinese censors have been working to block proxy web sites, they can’t find them all. Some are still accessible.

proxy in china

Web-based proxies also don’t require any special software. You just go to the site and you’re able to access the content you’re looking for. These are suitable short-term solutions for accessing Facebook when your VPN might not be working in China.

#3. Using a VPN in China

What is a VPN? It’s a virtual private network that makes your network appear to be someplace you’re not. Using encryption, you establish a point to point connection between servers, allowing users to bypass censorship. VPNs can also be used to reliably protect personal data and send information across the globe.

When it comes to accessing Facebook in China or other notable social media platforms, VPNs help by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and a server somewhere in the world. This prevents censorship technology from finding and blocking your access.

Is a VPN Legal?

There isn’t a simple answer to the question of whether VPNs are legal in China. I’m in no position for offering legal advice. But here is the basic question. If it is legal to put a lock on your door or a password on your device, why shouldn’t you be able to use a VPN to protect your connection? Even if you're in China, a VPN doesn’t just assist with accessing content, it’s also a protective measure. So in that sense, they should be and in many countries are legal.

That’s not to say that all of your activities while using a VPN are legal. Certain activities, enabled by VPN, could be illegal. In some countries, downloading copyrighted content is illegal.

vpn in china

In China or Saudi Arabia, where content is highly censored, using a VPN could be seen as an anti-governmental act. Most foreigners have VPNs in China – but because you’re a guest, it may not be so legally significant. If they have issues with you, they can ask you to leave.

For ordinary citizens in China, using a VPN might be more legally precarious. Even if it's just to access Facebook. 

Although some people might think it’s a better option, signing up for a free VPN service generally includes a lot more risk than is necessary. You might end up downloading adware, you could also leave yourself exposed to identity theft, as you will probably be accessing sensitive personal information online. Here are some of the best Free VPNs I would recommend, though I still suggest getting a paid subscription, it’s the better choice.

Free Options

  • 1
    Tunnelbear – With 500MB per month for free this might be a good choice. Has custom apps for both iOS and Android so you can access facebook.
  • 2
    VyprVPN – Has a 30-day money-back guarantee which may come in useful for facebook.
  • 3
    ExpressVPN – Also had a 30-day money back guarantee worth looking in to for facebook.
  • 4
    ProtonVPN – Lacks features you’ll find in other services, but it’s free to use with facebook.
  • 5
    Lantern – Like TunnelBear, it also offers 500 MB free with an option to upgrade.
  • 6
    Psiphon – Serves all OS platforms but mac with limited bandwidth for facebook.

Choosing a Paid VPN Service

I have a bigger article all about this topic of accessing Facebook. Check my guide on the Best VPN for China. One of the things you want to keep in mind when choosing a VPN is whether they have a trial service or not. The options I’m listing here all have a 30-day money back guarantee.

facebook in china

Another thing that you might want to think about in China is installing a VPN on your router. This is a great way you can experience unblocked in internet on all of your devices at once! Imagine it. Read my guide on the best VPNs for China for more clarification on accessing Facebook in China. 

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