Wednesday the City of San Gabriel launched an official Weibo account in an effort to expand its social media outreach and engage and inform Chinese-speaking residents.
Weibo, a Chinese social media service similar to Facebook and Twitter, is one of the most popular websites in China and has also become widely used in the U.S. and the San Gabriel Valley. While some local police departments have created accounts in recent years, the City of San Gabriel will be the first city government in the region to launch an official Weibo account.
“We’re happy to announce the launch of the City of San Gabriel’s official Weibo account,” Mayor Jason Pu said. “Our Weibo account will help us communicate and be more transparent, particularly with our Chinese-speaking community, and is one of the things we’re doing as part of our Strategic Plan.”
More than half of San Gabriel community members identify as Asian, according to U.S. Census data. The city will use the new account to more successfully reach and inform those residents that speak Chinese. Posts on the site will include important information about city services, events, and news, similar to what is already posted on the city’s English social media accounts. The site will also include information from the Police and Fire Departments.
“Social media is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect with residents, and we have already gained a following and engagement on our English accounts,” Public Information Officer Lauren Gold said. “Chinese speakers make up a significant part of our community, so it is essential for us to reach out to them through the social media channels they use and in the language with which they are most comfortable.”
To follow San Gabriel’s Weibo account, visit www.weibo.com/sangabrielcity.
For more information on the City of San Gabriel, visit our website at www.sangabrielcity.com or follow us social media @SanGabrielCity on Twitter, Facebook.com/CityofSanGabriel orInstagram.com/SanGabrielCity.
