Amount of paid and unpaid cash, stock, and paid-in-kind (PIK) dividends declared, for example, but not limited to, common and preferred stock.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 405
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957935&loc=d3e64057-112817

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Dividends
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable to pretax income (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 6.I)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116825942&loc=d3e330036-122817

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32687-109319

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32698-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to deductions. Including, but not limited to, extraterritorial income exclusion deduction, qualified production activity deduction, dividend deduction, deduction for dividend paid to employee stock ownership plan, Medicare prescription drug benefit subsidy deduction, and other deductions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32687-109319

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32698-109319

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 6.I)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116825942&loc=d3e330036-122817

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationDeductions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of operating loss carryforward, before tax effects, available to reduce future taxable income under enacted tax laws.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32559-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of undistributed earnings of domestic subsidiaries or domestic joint ventures intended to be permanent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117330534&loc=d3e28200-109314

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6424122&loc=d3e41874-109331

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)(c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6424122&loc=d3e41874-109331

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsOfDomesticSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of additional tax deduction available in determining tax assessable profits as a percentage of the qualified research and development expenses incurred.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_DeductionToTaxAssessableProfitsPercentageOfQualifiedResearchAndDevelopmentExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUndistributedEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of beneficial tax rate applicable to pretax income (loss).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtBeneficialTaxRatePercent
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period of time the preferential rate is available prior to re-applying for the rate. Also the period during which qualification review is required.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_IncomeTaxPreferentialRateTerm
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of income tax reduction available as a percentage of the normally applicable tax rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_IncomeTaxRateReductionPercent
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow made towards payment of tax withholding on dividends.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_PaymentsRelatedToWithholdingTaxForDividends
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the preferential tax rate applicable to the entity under the preferential tax treatment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_PreferentialEnterpriseIncomeTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Schedule Of Income Tax.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_ScheduleOfIncomeTaxLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of withholding income tax rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_WithholdingIncomeTaxRate
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of withholding taxes imposed or to be imposed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	yy_WithholdingTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	yy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis=us-gaap_CaymanIslandsTaxInformationAuthorityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis=yy_InlandRevenueDepartmentBritishVirginIslandsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis=us-gaap_InlandRevenueHongKongMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	yy_IncomeTaxPreferredGroupsAxis=yy_HighAndNewTechnologyEnterprisesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	yy_IncomeTaxPreferredGroupsAxis=yy_KeyNationalSoftwareEnterpriseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis=us-gaap_StateAdministrationOfTaxationChinaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis=us-gaap_InlandRevenueSingaporeIRASMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=yy_OtherCountriesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_GuangzhouHuaduoNetworkTechnologyCompanyLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_GuangzhouHuanjuShidaiInformationTechnologyCompanyLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_GuangzhouJuhuiInformationTechnologyCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	yy_IncomeTaxPreferredGroupsAxis=yy_SoftwareEnterpriseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_OtherPRCSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_GuangzhouHuyaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_HuyaTechnologyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_GuangzhouBaiguoyuanNetworkTechnologyCo.Ltd.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_GuangzhouBaiguoyuanInformationTechnologyCo.Ltd.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=yy_DuowanEntertainmentCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Income tax (Narrative) (Details) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended			120 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2018 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
Aggregate undistributed earnings of subsidiaries available for distribution	¥ 16,010,167	¥ 11,519,699
Deferred tax liabilities accrued for undistributed earnings	¥ 0	¥ 0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deduction, Percent	4.70%	4.90%	1.80%
Cayman Islands Tax Information Authority [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Withholding taxes	¥ 0
Inland Revenue Department British Virgin Islands [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Withholding taxes	¥ 0
Maximum \| Inland Revenue, Hong Kong [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
PRC withholding tax rate (as a percent)	5.00%
China
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)		25.00%
PRC withholding tax rate (as a percent)	10.00%
China \| HNTE
Income tax [Line Items]
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)	15.00%	15.00%
Term of preferential income tax rate		3 years
China \| KNSE
Income tax [Line Items]
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)		10.00%
Term of preferential income tax rate		3 years
Tax reduction available as a percentage of the applicable rate		50.00%
China \| State Administration of Taxation, China [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Amount of tax deduction to tax assessable profits as a percentage of qualified research and development		75.00%		50.00%
Operating Loss Carryforwards	¥ 1,495,129
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] \| Inland Revenue, Hong Kong [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)	16.50%
Operating Loss Carryforwards	¥ 15,573
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] \| Inland Revenue, Singapore (IRAS) [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)	17.00%
Beneficial tax rate		5.00%
Operating Loss Carryforwards	¥ 3,096,692
Other countries
Income tax [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	¥ 351,108
Guangzhou Huaduo [Member] \| China \| HNTE
Income tax [Line Items]
Beneficial tax rate	15.00%
Guangzhou Huanju Shidai [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Dividends \| $			$ 15,000
Payments Related To Withholding Tax For Dividends \| $			$ 1,500
Guangzhou Huanju Shidai [Member] \| China \| KNSE
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)	10.00%
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)		10.00%
Guangzhou Juhui Information Technology Co., Ltd. [Member] \| China \| Software Enterprise
Income tax [Line Items]
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)		12.50%	0.00%
Other PRC Subsidiaries [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)	25.00%
Guangzhou Huya [Member] \| China \| HNTE
Income tax [Line Items]
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)		15.00%
Term of preferential income tax rate		3 years
Huya Technology [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)		0.00%
Huya Technology [Member] \| China \| Software Enterprise
Income tax [Line Items]
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)	10.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Guangzhou BaiGuoYuan [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)		0.00%
BaiGuoYuan Technology [Member] \| HNTE
Income tax [Line Items]
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)		15.00%
Duowan BVI [Member]
Income tax [Line Items]
Income tax rate (as a percent)	0.00%