China partially blocks WhatsApp services

China has partially blocked the popular messaging service WhatsApp, as authorities tighten their grip on the internet ahead of a major leadership reshuffle in Beijing.

Photo, video and voice messages sent by the Guardian from Beijing were all blocked on Wednesday, but text messages were not affected.

The ban comes as officials are preparing for a twice-a-decade leadership shuffle later this year, with various factions within the Communist Party jockeying for control of key positions and President Xi Jinping likely to further consolidate power.

China operates the world’s largest censorship system, blocking thousands of websites including platforms such as Facebook, Google, Instagram, YouTube and foreign news outlets.

Xi, who came to power five years ago, has pushed for tighter government controls on what information Chinese citizens inside the country can access in the name of “cyber sovereignty”. Recent months have seen Beijing restrict live streaming video apps, online video content, celebrity news and VPNs.

In China, WhatsApp pales in popularity compared with homegrown messaging service WeChat, which boasts more than 900m users. But the American app is increasingly being used by Chinese concerned about privacy or those communicating with friends or business contacts abroad.