Baidu is primarily known for its search engine, while Alibaba Group’s most popular services are its Tmall e-commerce platform, AliPay mobile payment, Youku Tudou online videos platform, and cloud computing via Aliyun. Tencent is behind social networks or instant messaging services like WeChat or QQ. BATX is sometimes used to include smartphone and electronics manufacturer Xiaomi.
These three companies have a huge influence in China and beyond. After constructing a versatile and pioneering digital ecosystem, they continue to innovate in domains including artificial intelligence, self-driving cars, and the sharing economy. The BAT are on their way to becoming a serious rival for the GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon) on the world stage, thanks to a mixed portfolio of innovative services, huge user bases, and ambitious investment policies which include ongoing financial participation around Southeast Asia and in the West.
