Not to downplay your very valid concern, but "only"? I iMessage chat with my mainland friends every single day. Hell, use email. There are plenty of ways to communicate.
You statement doesn't sound ridiculous, just uninformed and lacking awareness of how people communicate in China.
Wonder why.
No different with Messenger in the US. Fools.
12/15 hour time difference also make it difficult to find a good time to make phone calls