Smartisan-backed Chinese messaging app that aimed to dethrone WeChat bites the bullet

Bullet Message bites the dust.

Liaotianbao, formerly known as Bullet Message, once a fast-rising app that some people saw as a potential challenger to China’s dominant messaging app WeChat, dismissed 200 employees on March 5, according to a local media report.

Chinese smartphone maker Smartisan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.