TIANJIN — The number of LinkedIn users in China has topped 32 million, more than three years after the world's largest professional network launched a Chinese version.

Founded in 2003 in the United States, LinkedIn's global user number now exceeds 500 million. Before tapping into the Chinese market in January 2014, the company had just 4 million users from China, who had registered on its global website.

LinkedIn China chief Derek Shen said that "connecting global professionals" is what drove the company into the Chinese market.

Measures to boost its presence have included allowing users to bind their LinkedIn accounts with those on Chinese mobile app WeChat, as well as working with Alibaba's financial affiliate Ant Financial.

A variety of other related activities and products, including a mobile version specially designed for Chinese users, have been developed.