Twitter CEO Dick Costolo will meet Shanghai government officials, student administrators, and students during a visit to China this week, which many people have viewed as a sign that Twitter is interested in reaching China's nearly 600 million Internet users.

Twitter has been blocked by Chinese censors since 2009.

The trip was described as a "personal tour" for the CEO, who will spend three days in the business capital after landing at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport.

He is not currently scheduled to visit Beijing however.

Costolo will meet with Shanghai government officials, like representatives of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone.

Officials have denied multiple media reports that Internet restrictions and censorship will be loosened there, including the blocking of Twitter, according to Reuters.

Twitter's senior management has played down the chances of it seeking a license to do business there as well, unlike its main rival, Facebook Inc.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg visits China often, and has spoken publicly about his desire to enter China in order to fulfill his dream of connecting the world.

Major companies like Google and Yahoo have been affected by Chinese government intervention. Google pulled out of China back in 2010, after it was not willing to accept what it has called "heavy-handed censorship" of the internet.

Twitter declined to say to Reuters what Costolo was planning on discussing with Chinese officials.

"Dick is visiting China because he wants to learn more about Chinese culture and the country's thriving technology sector," a Twitter spokesman said, according to Reuters.

Costolo, who has never set foot in the country before, will most likely avoid asking Chinese authorities to lift the Twitter ban.

Twitter has publicly denied the idea of an office opening anytime soon in China on multiple occasions.

Costolo will meet university administrators and will also participate in a round-table discussion with students at Fudan University in Shanghai, according to Reuters.

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?