Israeli President Shimon Peres is wrapping up a three-day state visit to China. In between meetings with officials and business leaders, he’s been posting pictures and chatting on Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter.

Shimon Peres is the first of many world leaders with a Weibo account, to visit the social network’s headquarters in Beijing. He says he’s excited to get closer to Chinese people through online interaction, especially the younger generation.


 

Israeli President Shimon Peres is wrapping up a three-day
state visit to China. In between meetings with officials and
business leaders, he’s been posting pictures and chatting
on Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter.

"The old generations have created the Chinese culture and the young generations are creating the Chinese future, which is based on science and progress. I think they are doing a good job." said Shimon Peres, Israeli President.

Peres answered questions on Israel-China cooperation and the Middle East peace process. He’s found that social media gives him a wider outreach.

After interacting with the public on his Facebook page in both English and Hebrew, the Israeli president then began responding in Chinese as well. The president published his first post on April 6. In just three days, his followers have jumped to over one hundred thousand.

Peres wants to get the message out that Israel is serious about cooperation with China. On Wednesday at the Forbidden City, he called for closer ties in trade, economy and scientific innovation.

"In technology it’s not enough to be up-to date, you have to be up to all. and I know that in China this year is the year of horse, China is not only a developing horse but a flying horse. I believe this horse will fly high and fast and we can do it together."

And Chinese business leaders agree.

"Israel is a country called start-up nation...there are many things China and Israel can do together." said Ning Gaoning, Chairman, COFCO Corporation.

The visit to Sina Weibo caps a three-day visit.

Shimon Peres will leave with the agreement reached with President Xi Jinping to set up an intergovernmental mechanism for economic and technological cooperation as soon as possible.