Chinese govt website opens microblog, Wechat accounts

The official website of Chinese government, www.gov.cn, opened accounts on two leading microblog websites and a Wechat account on Friday.

The website, run by the General Office of the State Council, or China's cabinet, will publish important government information through these three online platforms, said the website.

The two microblog accounts are at at xinhuanet.com and qq.com.

Wechat is a hugely popular Chinese messaging app with over 400 million users.

The website, in operation since January 2006, publishes information about activities of senior officials of the State Council, import cabinet meetings as well as policies and regulations.

The move followed a Wechat account opened last month by the Gazette Office of the State Council. The Gazette account publicizes administrative laws and orders of the State Council, personnel appointments and removals, and important government rules and documents.

These attempts are a display of the central government's willingness to approach the public and improve transparency in the age of Internet.