The names of social networks in China - Douban, Renren, Qzone, Sina Weibo - might sound unfamiliar. But their function isn’t. Each one is a more or less direct copy, or ‘clone’, of a Western social network. Renren, the country’s largest network, is a clone of Facebook. Music sharing network Douban is similar to Myspace. And Jeipang lets people check-in at physical locations in the same way Foursquare does.

These clones have developed mainly because of legislations by the Chinese government, which has banned the use of Western websites such as Youtube and Facebook. ‘The social media and overall online ecosystem in China is unique because of local regulations,’ says Steve Garton, Managing Director of Media Research at Synovate China. ‘But despite this, the whole industry has adapted and has grown dramatically to suit China. It’s made for China as opposed to made in China.’

These clone networks are now thriving with activity. Around 41% of the 450 million people in China using the web spend their time on social networking sites, according to the Data Center of the Chinese Internet. This number is set to grow even more, as more people get access to the web. There has already been an increase in people online of 44.8% between 2009 and 2010, according to CTR China’s Media Audience Research & Report.

Renren - meaning ‘everyone’ - is the largest network, with over 33 million active users each month. Formerly known as Xiaonei - or ‘on campus’ - Renren started its life in the biggest and most elite universities, just like Facebook. And the similarities don't end there. Renren replicates almost everything Facebook does. It has a Connect function, ‘like’ buttons, location check-ins, and groups for shared interests. Even its colour palette is similar. ‘It takes the best ideas from the West and adapts them for China,’ says Garton.41% of people that have the internet in China use social networking sites, according to the Data Center of the Chinese Internet.