WeChat blocks China Evergrande messaging groups, some users say

Tencent Holdings’ WeChat platform has blocked at least eight instant messaging groups used by people in China owed money by cash-strapped property giant China Evergrande Group, group members said on Wednesday.

The groups, of around 200 to 500 people each, had discussed members’ claims and organised protests. Members said they were prevented from sending new messages to the groups starting from Tuesday morning.

The crisis at Evergrande, weighed down under $305 billion in debt and in the midst of a cash crunch, poses a challenge for the government. It wants to impose financial discipline but analysts say it is wary of a messy collapse that could fuel unrest by local investors, suppliers and homebuyers.