Former Australian premier Kevin Rudd greets PM Modi on Sina Weibo website

BEIJING: Former Australian premier Kevin Rudd today greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the popular Chinese miocroblogging site 'Sina Weibo' and hoped that the Indian leader's forthcoming visit to China will go smoothly.

"Last meeting in New Delhi is very pleasant and impressive. Nice to meet again in China's micro-blog Sina Weibo! Hope Prime Minister Modi visit to China goes smoothly," Rudd, 57, said.

Modi replied to Rudd on Weibo saying, "Thank you Mr Rudd for your wishes. I also cherish our meeting. Look forward to visit China".

Modi had officially announced his three-day visit to China from May 14 on Weibo, which is akin to Twitter and Facebook in China.

Rudd is popular in China as he speaks fluent Mandarin. Indian officials said Modi's Weibo account had about over 11 million hits so far since he launched it on May 4 to reach out to Chinese people ahead of his first visit, becoming the first Indian leader to open an account on the popular Chinese miocroblogging site.

Rudd was twice Prime Minister of Australia, from 2007 to 2010, and again in 2013.