Chinese MiniApps as a worldwide reference
Notes.
Example of native super-apps with mini-app-like apps: WeChat (CN), Douyin (CN) Alipay (CN), Baidu (CN), 360 (CN), JD (CN), QQ (CN), Little Red Book (CN), Taobao (CN), Toutiao (CN), Rappi (CO), Meituan (CN), DiDi (CN), Grab (SG), Grojek (ID), Paytm (IN), PhonePe (IN), Tata Neu (IN), KakaoTalk (KR), Line (JP), Zalo (VN), Careem (AE), Ayoba (ZA), Revolut (GB), Uber (US), PayPal (US), Instant Game (US), Cash App (US), Max (RU), Telegram (AE). Also PWA and browser as a reference.
The Chinese Web IG started the work in 2019, publishing the White Paper on MiniApp Standardization, written by Alibaba, Xiaomi, Baidu, Intel, Huawei, and China Mobile. Months later they formed the MiniApps CG, with participation also from Google, Microsoft, Bytedance, 360 and other W3C Members.
In 2021, the MiniApps WG was launched. Xu Fuqiao as Team Contact, and Co-Chairs from Alibaba, Baidu, and Huawei. During that period, the first WDs were published.
In 2022, more iterations on the specifications. Later, the WG updated the White Paper.
In 2023, the WG was rechartered (no many changes). Xiaoqian joined as Team Contact.
In 2024, we had discussions at TPAC about the specs. Internationalization, Accessibility and Privacy was fine, but some challenges in terms of security (MiniApps model is different than the Web security model).
After a slowed down period, we met again at TPAC 2025. The community was interested in the topic and solving new challenges for the web.
Notes.
Notes.
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