Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the UK, delivers a speech at the ceremony.[Photo by Zhang Zhouxiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The message: "Welcome to the Chinese Embassy in the UK!" flashed up as Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom, left clicked his mouse and launched his embassy's official Facebook account which sent it first greeting to the world.

The embassy opened official accounts on two social networks on Wednesday, Facebook and WeChat, a popular app with at least 500 million users, mostly Chinese.

The social network accounts will mainly issue press releases and provide a convenient channel for people to ask questions on-line, Liu said. He also expects them to help promote China-UK relations, especially as President Xi Jinping will pay a visit in October.

"The relationship between China and the UK is prospering," said Liu. "We hope to use the Internet to propel that process".