China websites cash in on virtual love and friendship

Website 9158.com is largest video chatroom in the country, with 15 million active users employing 40,000 performers.

Online chatrooms have become a booming business in China, with millions of users willing to pay for conversation.

The website, 9158.com, is the largest video chatroom site in the country with 15 million active users.

The site employs 40,000 “performers”, who earn their money by performing online and chatting with the users. Da Xia is a full-time performer and she makes $30,000 a year, when users chat with her or pay for her with virtual gifts.

Al Jazeera’s Scott Heidler reports from Hangzhou, China.

Source: Al Jazeera