How to text China: A guide to business communications

Are you struggling to send text messages to China? Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or salesperson, we’ve got you covered. Sending text messages (also called SMS) to China is easy, but it requires attention to detail to ensure your message gets delivered. This guide will cover the ins and outs of texting to China, including formatting, country codes, and regulatory compliance.

Sending a text to China

In China, phone numbers typically have eleven digits. These digits start with a three-digit mobile prefix like 130, 131, or 132, followed by an eight-digit subscriber number.

China phone number formatting

When texting or calling a Chinese phone number, the format remains consistent. To correctly format the number, you should start with the three-digit mobile prefix and follow it with the eight-digit subscriber number.

For instance, a Chinese number might look like 13812345678. It's important to note that you don't need any additional prefixes when sending a text or making a call within China. However, if you're sending a text message from outside China, you'll need to include the country code.

China's country code

When sending a text message to China from another country, you need to include China's country code, +86. This country code directs your message to the Chinese mobile network, ensuring it reaches the intended recipient.

To add the country code, you should type "+86" before the eleven-digit Chinese mobile number. For example, a properly formatted number would be +8613812345678.

Once the number is correctly formatted with the country code, enter it into the "Recipient" field of your messaging app and send your message. Including the country code is essential to guarantee the message is delivered successfully in China.

Staying compliant while texting China

To comply with SMS messaging regulations in China, businesses must adhere to rules set by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Cyberspace Administration of China.

Key regulations include obtaining user consent before sending messages, ensuring message content is lawful, and protecting user data. Non-compliance can result in fines and operational restrictions. Businesses should consider registering with local telecom providers, using approved SMS gateways, verifying user identities, and maintaining messaging logs.

Four steps to text China

Now that you understand the formatting requirements and regulatory compliance, you can send your first text message to China. Use the following steps to send your message:

1. Inspect the number to ensure it's in the correct format, ensuring there are no extra spaces or characters.
2. Add China's country code (+86).
3. Input the correctly formatted number into the "Recipient" field.
4. Compose and send your message.

Example number format: +8613812345678

Now that you know how to format and send a text message to China, it's important to follow some best practices to ensure your messages are delivered successfully and comply with local regulations.

Best practices for texting China numbers

When sending SMS marketing messages to numbers in China, several regulatory requirements and best practices must be followed to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Businesses must adhere to strict content regulations. Messages containing adult content, alcohol or tobacco ads, political messages, or advertisements for illegal products in China are prohibited. Most URLs, regardless of content, will also be blocked by Chinese carriers.

Messages must include a preregistered signature enclosed in Unicode brackets to help recipients identify legitimate senders. For example, an OTP message for Douyin would look like this: "[抖音] 验证码7738，用于手机验证码登录，5分钟内有效".

Marketing messages can only be sent during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. China Standard Time). Additionally, there are sending limits; no more than three identical messages to the same recipient per day, and no more than six messages with different contents within 24 hours.

Opt-out instructions must be included in promotional messages, allowing recipients to easily unsubscribe, such as "Reply N to stop" or "回T退订."

By following these best practices, businesses can navigate China's complex SMS regulations and increase the chances of their messages reaching their target audience effectively.

Choosing the right greeting for your text message to China

When sending text messages to recipients in China, understanding and applying the correct etiquette can significantly impact the effectiveness of your communication. Greetings play a crucial role in setting the tone and establishing rapport with the recipient.

Formal greetings

In a formal context, such as business communications or marketing messages, it's essential to use respectful and professional greetings. A common formal greeting in Chinese is “尊敬的” (zūn jìng de), which translates to "respected." This can be followed by the recipient's title and surname, for example, “尊敬的王先生” (zūn jìng de Wáng xiān shēng) for "Respected Mr. Wang." This level of formality helps to establish credibility and shows respect.

Informal greetings

For informal contexts, such as messages to friends or close acquaintances, a more relaxed greeting is appropriate. A common informal greeting is “你好” (nǐ hǎo), which means "hello." This can be used with or without the recipient's name, for example, “你好，小李” (nǐ hǎo, Xiǎo Lǐ) for "Hello, Xiao Li." This friendly tone can help to foster a sense of familiarity and ease in the conversation.

Consider cultural nuances

It's also essential to consider cultural nuances when texting someone in China. Chinese culture places significant emphasis on humility and respect. Avoid overly direct or blunt language, as it can be perceived as rude. Additionally, be mindful of the time you send your message. Texting late at night or early in the morning might be seen as inconsiderate.

Use of emojis and symbols

Emojis and symbols are generally accepted and widely used in China. However, be cautious with their usage in formal communications. In informal contexts, emojis can add a friendly and personal touch to your message.

By choosing the appropriate greeting and considering cultural nuances, you can ensure your text messages are well-received and effective in China.

Text China: How to get started

With these tips and recommendations, you're ready to send SMS messages to China with confidence. Whether you're sending a personal message or business communication, understanding the formatting and regulatory compliance is essential to ensure your message gets delivered.

If you’re looking for more guidance on global texting, Telnyx’s team of experts can help you navigate the complexities of international communication. Telnyx is a next-gen communications platform that offers a global private IP network, multi-cloud redundancy, and carrier-grade services. Our developer-friendly SMS API and intelligent features make it easy to build messaging capabilities into your existing apps. We also offer support and guidance to help you grow and scale your business.

With competitive pricing and a wide variety of phone numbers in over 140 countries, Telnyx provides cost-effective messaging solutions with unmatched expertise. Our deliverability reports help businesses optimize their messaging campaigns, while easy implementation and a complete set of features make it easy to get started.

Note: This is not legal advice. Consult your legal team and the appropriate regulatory authorities before beginning an SMS message campaign in China.