HONG KONG — It was not intended as a joke. But on April Fools’ Day, it’s hard to be certain.

On Friday, the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua, which is not known for its sense of humor, explained how the nation should view “the West’s so-called ‘Fools’ Day.’ ”

“ ‘Fools’ Day’ is not in line with our country’s traditions and socialist core values,” Xinhua said in a message posted on its Weibo account Friday morning. “We hope you will not believe, create or spread rumors.”

The message quickly received thousands of reposts and comments. Some people endorsed the rejection of a Western celebration, while others embraced April Fools’. Many did not take the state news agency seriously.

“Xinhua is in fact celebrating Fool’s Day itself,” wrote Zhao Yan, a television writer in Guangdong Province.