Whatsapp blocked in China as Beijing tightens censorship

Facebook-owned messaging service Whatsapp has been partially blocked in China as part of the country’s latest crackdown on internet usage.

Users reported being unable to send anything via the app apart from text messages, with files, pictures and videos being blocked by censorship groups.

The blockage arrives just weeks ahead of an expected significant reshuffle in the top ranks of the Communist government at the next party congress.

Several popular Western internet platforms such as Google, Facebook and Instagram have been blocked in China in the past.

Whatsapp is not nearly as popular in China as it is in many other parts of the world, with the domestic alternative WeChat dominating - with more than 900m users.

The sensitive party congress will arrive later this year at a tense time following the death of Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.