(Yicai Global) Jan. 16 -- Pony Ma, founder and chairman of Shenzhen-headquartered tech titan Tencent Holdings, seems to have spent a sleepless night, as three new social media Apps took off yesterday, potential rivals to the supremacy of his company's WeChat messaging and payment app in the social networking milieu.

A screenshot circulating online shows Ma responding to an internet commentator's WeChat friends circle at 3.55 and 4.34 a.m. today. The latter applauded the new entrants as 'intensifying competition.'

"Let's look at whether the family uses it or not before talking about them," Ma said. "Oppose anonymous negative social interaction,' he added.

Beijing-based ByteDance Technology launched standalone video-messaging app Duoshan. It lets users record and share short videos that disappear after 72 hours. 

Shenzhen Ringle Artificial Technology released Mtoilet, a new social networking app that bills itself on its homepage as a dark web of personal contacts and a shadowy circle of friends. Users receive 'red envelope' rewards for partaking in discussions.

Another Beijing startup, Kuairu Technology, which last year launched social media app Bullet Messenger with backing from smartphone maker Smartisan, also issued its updated instant messaging app, Liaotianbao, which features voice-to-text transcription which sets it apart from WeChat.  Its users get 'red envelopes' for inviting new signups.

Editor: Ben Armour