The Chinese Twitter clones are rolling out the software factory doors at a frightening pace. Another new entrant is now trying to get marketshare.

TaoTao is one that has a good chance to make it. It's backers are QQ , the insanely popular messaging network. QQ is currently the number 10 website in the world (according to alexa) and at one point in time, a vast majority of the Chinese net population used QQ as their IM solution. They have millions and millions of users to say the least. If they do a good job of cross marketing they should be able to get almost instant uptake. It will also be interesting on how they integrate with their existing QQ service and mobile phones.

Does any of this Chinese stuff matter? Yes, we think so. At the end of last year there were 137 million web users in China (by official goverment accounts) and by the end of 2007 that is projected to hit 200 million. You see, soon there will be more Internet users in China than ALL OF THE PEOPLE in the USA. The stakes are high and the west doesn't have access to the market (for the most part) due to language and other barriers.