There’s no stopping Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Facebook, from trying to warm up relations with China. The fact that the social networking site itself is blocked in the country is a minor obstacle, the Los Angeles Times reported.
In celebration of the Lunar New Year, 31-year-old Zuckerberg posted a video on Facebook on Sunday, Feb. 7, to wish everyone a happy new year in Mandarin.
He was joined by his wife Priscilla Chan and their newborn daughter, Max.
The video, which was a minute-and-a-half long, also announced Max's new Chinese name (Chen Mingyu), and that Zuckerberg likes roast duck. It's Zuckerberg's latest attempt to reach a Chinese audience.
Back in October, Zuckerberg also addressed a Chinese audience in Mandarin for 20 minutes during his visit to Tsinghua University in Beijing.
In 2014, the chief executive also hosted a Facebook Q&A session at Tsinghua University in Mandarin.
Zuckerberg has been taking Mandarin classes since 2010.
If Zuckerberg thinks that his Chinese language efforts will lift the Chinese government's Facebook ban, analysts say not to get his hopes up. On the bright side, his efforts make Zuckerberg more open and accommodating.
China isn't the only country Facebook hasn't broken into.
Indian regulators banned free mobile data programs on Monday, Feb. 8, as a means to promote certain Internet services over others. This move, which is part of the country's Internet.org initiative, has effectively led to the blocking of Facebook's Free Basics program in the country.
The Free Basics program allows customers to gain free access to the social networking site. They can also select health, job and news services through the program, which is a partnership between the social networking giant and select cellphone carriers.
Despite the setback, Zuckerberg and his team at Facebook remain committed to its program in the south Asian country.
"While we're disappointed with today's decision, I want to personally communicate that we are committed to keep working to break down barriers in India and around the world," Zuckerberg announced on Monday. "Internet.org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the Internet."