BEIJING, China – Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of harnessing the internet to benefit people worldwide during his address at the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, which he addressed via video.
President Xi pointed out that his proposal in 2015 of jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, made during the second WIC, has garnered extensive international recognition and positive responses.
The concept addresses critical global issues related to reducing development inequalities, addressing security concerns, and promoting mutual understanding among different civilizations.
The international community should deepen exchanges and practical cooperation to take the development of a community with a shared future in cyberspace to a new level, Xi urged.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing development to ensure that the benefits of internet development are accessible to a broader range of countries and people.
Xi highlighted the necessity of expanding public access to information-based services, narrowing the digital divide, and improving people’s quality of life through internet development.
He underlined the need for a more peaceful and secure cyberspace, which includes respecting cyber sovereignty, promoting diverse internet governance approaches, and rejecting the pursuit of dominance, bloc confrontations, and arms races in cyberspace.
The President also emphasized the importance of combating cybercrimes, enhancing data security and protecting personal information, and addressing the risks and challenges arising from scientific and technological advancements in terms of rules, society, and ethics.
China is open to collaborating with all stakeholders to implement the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative and ensure the safe development of artificial intelligence (AI), according to Xi.
He called for a more equitable and inclusive cyberspace and the promotion of shared human values.
Furthermore, President Xi stressed the importance of creating high-quality online cultural content to showcase the achievements of human civilizations and actively promote cultural preservation and development.
The 2023 World Internet Conference continues to facilitate discussions and cooperation on internet development, policies, and governance.
