Tencent’s super app WeChat has added a fresh feature that is Watch Vanguard Onlinedesigned to send breaking news alerts on top of users’ other official account subscription notifications, in an effort to make the messaging app more competitive in information distribution. Sources of the latest news for the alert mostly come from China’s official state media outlets, with WeChat users able to get international breaking news notices without the need to fully subscribe. According to screenshots shared by beta-test users, news stories including rainstorm warnings in Beijing and updates on conflicts in the Middle East have been displayed on the test channel. [36Kr, in Chinese]
