UN chief talks to Chinese youth online

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon started his three-day visit to China by talking with Chinese micro blog users in a live interactive chat session on Tuesday.

"I am glad to communicate with so many Chinese young men and women here," he told followers of the UN channel on Sina Weibo, a popular micro-blogging platform in Chinese.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told China Daily, "The secretary-general specifically wanted to connect with the young people of China. He is encouraged by their enthusiasm and energy. He said it was a great experience. He also values the important conversations he will have with the Chinese leadership."