Can you run Meta Ads in China

TLDR;

Meta platforms are blocked in mainland China. You cannot run Facebook or Instagram ads to users physically inside the Great Firewall. You can still reach Chinese speaking audiences through cross border Meta Ads in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Singapore, plus overseas Chinese communities. The highest performing setups pair Meta Ads for awareness with Chinese platforms for conversion, such as Baidu Ads and WeChat. Use Chinese language landing pages, offshore hosting, and privacy compliant tracking. For execution details, see our guides on Baidu Ads Requirements in 2025, Ad Copy in China, and High Converting Landing Pages in China.

What Meta Ads in China Really Means

Meta apps are not accessible in mainland China due to national internet controls. That limits direct reach. Meta Ads still matter for brands targeting Chinese travelers, students, high net worth buyers, and diaspora audiences. You can also influence mainland demand through content and ads seen in border markets and then capture that demand inside China with Baidu and WeChat.

Useful background and alternatives

• How western platforms work in China: 2025 overview

• China search landscape: Baidu Advertising 101 and Can you run ads on Baidu

• Why Google Ads do not work in China: explainer and Google Ads in China guide

When Meta Ads Make Sense For China Strategy

Cross border awareness

Run Facebook and Instagram placements in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Singapore. Use Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese variants. Link to a fast Chinese language page. See our Landing Pages in China guide.

Diaspora growth

Target Chinese speakers in the EU, UK, North America, and Southeast Asia. Layer interest and lookalike signals. Align with LinkedIn when selling B2B. See LinkedIn targeting with Microsoft Advertising.

Traveler and event bursts

Promote limited time offers around holidays and trade shows that drive outbound travel. Use budget planning support with our Budget Estimation Tools.

Pair Meta Ads With Chinese Ad Platforms

Search capture with Baidu

Meta builds demand. Baidu captures it when users research in Chinese. Start with brand and category keywords, SKAG or tight ad groups, and compliant ad copy. Read:

• Baidu Ads Requirements in 2025

• A Beginner’s Guide to Baidu Advertising

• Baidu Search Advertising in China

Social conversion with WeChat and Douyin

Use WeChat Official Accounts and Moments Ads for lead gen and CRM style nurturing. Learn the setup steps in the WeChat Ads account opening process. For video centric categories, align with Douyin while keeping Meta as your international awareness engine.

Broaden search beyond Baidu

Add 360 Search for incremental reach. See our guides on Haosou ads and Exploring Haosou Ads. For Japan coverage that often overlaps with China expansion plans, compare Google Ads vs Yahoo Japan Ads and execution guides for Yahoo Japan and Yahoo Taiwan plus Yahoo Japan. For Korea, see Why Naver Advertising and Naver Ads Paid Media Strategies.

Creative and Copy For Chinese Audiences

Meta creatives should set the hook. On platform copy should be short, image led, and consistent with Chinese landing pages. For click through and CVR, mirror the key terms used in Baidu search. Deep dives

• Ad Copy in China

• Keyword Research for Baidu Ads and Baidu Display Ads audience guide

Tracking, Hosting, and Compliance

• Host outside mainland China for speed and pixel reliability. Hong Kong and Singapore are common choices.

• If you plan to advertise on Chinese platforms, review documentation and alternatives for business license paths. Start with Open Baidu Ads without a Chinese business licence and the ICP license overview.

Budgeting and Channel Mix

Start with a split such as 40 percent Meta awareness in cross border markets, 40 percent Baidu search capture, 20 percent WeChat nurturing. Adjust by category. Use the Budget Estimation Tools. For B2B with long cycles, add Microsoft Ads for lead generation and read why Microsoft Ads often outperform in underrated markets. For APAC expansion pitfalls, review Roadblocks to APAC expansion.

Related Platforms and Comparisons

• YouTube in China status and workarounds: Can you use YouTube Ads in China

• TikTok vs Douyin and cross border tactics: TikTok Ads in China

• Google in China background and international playbooks: Google Ads in China for international companies and Best Google Search Ads alternatives

Conclusion

Meta Ads cannot directly reach most users inside mainland China. They remain valuable for awareness among Chinese speakers across border markets and the global diaspora. The strongest results come from an integrated plan that blends Meta for discovery and Chinese platforms for research and conversion. Keep optimizing creative, keywords, and page speed, then expand coverage to adjacent APAC markets as your funnel matures.

Are you ready to expand your reach ?