Is V2Ray blocked in China?

Summary

This article provides information and answers various questions related to internet censorship and VPN usage in China. It discusses the websites and apps that are blocked in China, the legality of using VPNs, and the consequences of getting caught with a VPN. It also explores methods for unblocking apps in China and recommends VPN services that work in the country.

About Blocked Websites and Apps in China

The Chinese government enforces strict internet censorship, resulting in the blocking of various websites and apps. Some of the top 10 websites, apps, and tools banned in China include the BBC, Instagram, Gmail, Spotify, Wikipedia, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat.

Is VPN Usage Illegal in China?

Using a VPN in China is not officially illegal, but the government requires VPN providers to cooperate with the state, compromising user privacy. Many VPN services are banned, and the government occasionally threatens to block VPNs completely.

List of Restricted Websites and Apps

The table below shows some high-ranking websites blocked in mainland China:

Website Domain Duration of Blockage
Instagram Instagram.com September 2014–present
WhatsApp whatsapp.com September 2017–present
Twitch twitch.tv 17 September 2018–present
Roblox roblox.com 13 December 2021–present

VPN Usage in China

NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that work in China. While there may be occasional issues with certain servers being identified and blocked, NordVPN constantly develops and upgrades its technology to bypass the Great Firewall.

How to Determine If a Website Is Blocked in China

To check if a website is blocked in China, you can use the EXPERTE.com Internet Censorship Check. This tool operates servers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to test website accessibility in real-time.

Punishment for VPN Usage in China

The law against VPN usage primarily applies to companies rather than individuals. Individuals found creating or selling unauthorized VPNs have faced fines and prison sentences of varying durations, although enforcement is inconsistent.

Consequences of Getting Caught with a VPN in China

Using VPNs without government approval can result in fines or jail time for individuals involved in the VPN business. Chinese citizens who use VPNs without governmental clearance may also face legal consequences.

Accessing American Apps in China

Most US-owned apps are not allowed to operate in China, as both ByteDance and the Chinese government dismiss claims of “covert influence” made by the US and other countries.

Unblocking Apps in China

One popular method for unblocking apps in China is to use a VPN. By rerouting internet traffic through a remote server and changing the IP address, a VPN allows users to bypass country-specific restrictions and censorship.

Recommended VPN for China

ExpressVPN is currently ranked as the best VPN for China. It is fast, reliable, and works well for activities like watching YouTube and uploading videos. Contact ExpressVPN’s customer support to obtain a mirror site link for accessing their service in China.

Google in China

Since 2014, Google’s Internet mail service (Gmail), Chrome, and Google-based search inquiries have not been available to mainland China users.

Is V2Ray blocked in China?

What sites are blocked by China

The top 10 websites, apps and tools banned in China are:The BBC.Instagram.Gmail.Spotify.Wikipedia.WhatsApp.YouTube.Snapchat.

Is it illegal to use VPN in China

Long answer: Using a VPN in China is not officially illegal. China allows VPN providers to operate as long as they cooperate with the state, which defeats the privacy purpose of having a VPN in the first place. Many VPN services are banned, and the government often threatens to block VPNs altogether.

Which app is restricted in China

Table of high-ranking websites blocked in mainland China

Website Domain Duration of blockage
Instagram Instagram.com September 2014–present
WhatsApp whatsapp.com September 2017–present
Twitch twitch.tv 17 September 2018–present
Roblox roblox.com 13 December 2021 – present

Can NordVPN be used in China

Yes, NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that work in China.

There might be periods when this VPN might have some issues with connecting to certain servers if they have been identified as a VPN tunnel and blocked. However, the team constantly works with developing and upgrading their tech to bypass the Great Firewall.

How do I know if a website is blocked in China

With the EXPERTE.com Internet Censorship Check, you can find out if a website is blocked in China. Just enter the desired page in the field above and press Start Test. EXPERTE.com operates servers in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen and tries to connect to the website from them.

How do I know if a website is banned in China

While the list is constantly changing, for a list of sites that are blocked by the Great Firewall of China, you can visit GreatFire.org or Wikipedia. However, to see if your website, or a different website, is blocked by the China Firewall, you can run our test for instant, real-time results.

What is the punishment for having a VPN in China

However, this law applies to companies and corporations rather than individuals. Chinese citizens found creating or selling unapproved VPNs have received fines and prison sentences anywhere from three days to more than five years, but these are applied inconsistently.

What happens if you get caught with VPN in China

The punishment regarding VPN usage falls for companies that do not use government-approved VPNs or companies that don't have relevant approvals from the state to use VPNs. Chinese citizens in the VPN business can also face fines or jail time if they don't have government clearance.

Are American apps allowed in China

Both ByteDance and the Chinese government are dismissive of “covert influence” claims made by the US and others. However, it's interesting to note that most US-owned apps are not allowed to operate in China.

How do I unblock an app in China

Using a VPN in China is a popular method to get through The Great Firewall. It reroutes Internet traffic through a remote server and changes the IP address. This way, user virtually appears to be in a different location and can bypass country-specific restrictions and censorship when going online.

Which VPN supports China

As of October 2023, ExpressVPN (49% off using this link) currently ranks #1 as the best VPN for China. It is the fastest and most reliable. I've been using ExpressVPN for years, mainly to watch YouTube in China and also upload videos to YouTube, both of which work fantastic in China.

Is ExpressVPN still working in China

Although VPN websites are blocked by China's Great Firewall, ExpressVPN has a mirror site that will work in China. You can obtain a link for that site if you contact ExpressVPN's customer support and ask for it.

Is Google still blocked in China

Google's Internet mail service, Gmail, and Chrome and Google-based search inquiries have not been available to mainland China users since 2014.

Why does China block US websites

The Great Firewall's goal is perceived by the Communist Party as helping to protect the Chinese population by preventing users from accessing these foreign websites which, in their opinion, host content which would be 'spiritual pollution', as well as information about these sensitive topics.

Is Google blocked in China

Yes, Google is one of many websites blocked in China, as confirmed by EXPERTE.com's Internet censorship check. Our tool checks the availability of websites in China using servers located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Blocked websites are a result of the Chinese government's censorship measures.

Can the Chinese government see when you use a VPN

In China, VPN traffic can be detected by the Great Firewall, which will block the server you're connected to. China's firewall is like a living organism — always evolving and searching for new ways to restrict the free internet.

Can you go to jail for using VPN in China

Chinese citizens found creating or selling unapproved VPNs have received fines and prison sentences anywhere from three days to more than five years, but these are applied inconsistently.

Will I go to jail for using VPN

Some countries enforce restrictions on VPN usage – like other internet censorship laws – more strongly than others. Using a VPN illegally could land you in jail, or there might be no punishment at all. Regardless, it's generally not a good idea to break the law, even if you consider the law unethical.

Why don’t China ban VPN

Virtually, the Chinese government has been blocking VPN all the time. Compared to ten years ago, it is notably much harder to get VPN. However, the government is unable to utterly block VPN because it can't afford the massive expense. Additionally, it is also unnecessary to do so.

Is TikTok blocked in China

So I clicked on it and it looks the exact same as TikTok. So I dug a little deeper into this… TikTok is actually NOT banned in China; in fact, it originated in China under the name Douyin. However, the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, operates separately from the international version.

How do I access American apps in China

To access blocked sites and apps within China you will need a VPN, however many VPNs don't work in China. We rented a server in Shenzhen and tested 59 providers to find the best VPN for China. During my time living in China I came to rely on a VPN service to access western sites, apps and social media.

What social media apps are not blocked in China

Smartphone AppsWeChat (or Weixin 微信) WeChat is one of the most popular free messaging apps in China and provides many features compared to other social messaging apps, such as Facebook Messenger.WhatsApp.QQ.WeCom.Weibo (Not Blocked)Snow (Not Blocked)Twitter (Blocked)Reddit (Blocked)

Why is my VPN not working in China

Free VPNs are unlikely to work in China unless they're free VPNs approved by the Chinese government. Such VPNs won't give you the privacy you desire or give you access to blocked news websites and social media apps.

Which VPN is not owned by China

NordVPN Is Not Owned By China

Long regarded as one of the most dependable and secure VPN services on the market, NordVPN offers users an unmatched level of online anonymity and protection.

Does ExpressVPN still work in China 2023

Except for the VPN servers in Hong Kong, the answer is 'No'. Since China bans VPNs in the country, ExpressVPN doesn't have any physical servers there.