How do the Chinese Play Social Games?

According to David Wallerstein of QQ Games, the majority of gameplay is with strangers.

QQ Games is the massively successful real-time games service in China, based around the QQ IM client. The service is so popular they have a currency that rivaled the Chinese national currency.

So why strangers?

Here's David's explanation: The Chinese enjoy competing. However, they feel compelled by custom to let friends win. When playing against strangers they can compete fully.

Nice reminder to for social game designers to understand their audience.