Looking for options with text chat and video/audio calls. Ideally with minimal technical setup required at their end.

I looked into setting up a Matrix instance and giving them a link to a self-hosted version of the Element web client but it doesn't look like that would work [0].

Not sure yet if a VPN is an option for them (I don't know if I'd be suggesting something that they'd feel uncomfortable with).

What are my options?

If WeChat is the only route, any advice on how to minimise risk when using it?

(Also curious to hear from anyone from China about your experiences with messaging and censorship)

[0] there are reports from some that this doesn't work in China due to the element client still needing to talk to matrix.org which is blocked.