Social media has grown rapidly in China, with weibo/microblog users increasing from 63 million in 2010 to 195 million by July 2011. This represents 40.2% of Chinese internet users and 34% of mobile internet users. China represents a huge market potential for e-commerce and online marketing with over 450 million internet users and a growing consumer class. However, the Chinese government tightly controls and censors media through its firewall and surveillance of internet service providers and telecommunications companies. While social media presents opportunities, political and economic barriers exist due to the government that must be understood and navigated carefully.