The official website of the Chinese Government, http://www.gov.cn/, opened accounts on two leading microblogging websites and on WeChat, a hugely popular Chinese messaging app with over 400 million users, on October 11. The two microblogging accounts are at xinhuanet.com and qq.com.

The website, run by the General Office of the State Council, or China's cabinet, will publish important government information through the three social networking platforms, according to a statement.

The move followed a WeChat account being opened in September by the Gazette Office of the State Council. The Gazette account was created to publicize administrative laws and orders from the State Council, personnel appointments and removals, and important government rules and documents.