Fight flares over red envelopes

Mobile services blocked amid fierce competition by rivals to prevent users being poached

Red envelopes - traditional monetary gifts sent at Spring Festival that are said to bring good luck - have gone viral amid hot competition to capture mobile payment users.

In subways, offices or restaurants, smartphone users are opening electronic red envelopes on social media platforms such as WeChat and Weibo or with e-payment tools such as Alipay Wallet.