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SCIO briefing on the preparatory work for the World Internet Conference · Internet Development Forum

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Speakers:

Zhao Zeliang, vice minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China

Zhu Guoxian, member of the Standing Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee

Sheng Yongjun, secretary of the CPC Tongxiang Municipal Committee in Zhejiang province

Chairperson:

Shou Xiaoli, deputy head of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office

Date:

Nov. 2, 2020

Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the State Council Information Office (SCIO) press conference. The World Internet Conference · Internet Development Forum will be held in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, from Nov. 23 to 24. To brief you on progress, we have invited Mr. Zhao Zeliang, vice minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China, Mr. Zhu Guoxian, member of the Standing Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, and Sheng Yongjun, secretary of the CPC Tongxiang Municipal Committee in Zhejiang province. They will explain the overall situation and the status of preparations for the forum and answer your questions.

Now, I will give the floor to Mr. Zhao Zeliang.

Zhao Zeliang:

Thank you. Friends from the media, good afternoon. Welcome to today's press conference. The fifth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee just concluded. Entrusted by the organizing committee of the World Internet Conference, I am delighted to brief you on the World Internet Conference · Internet Development Forum.

The World Internet Conference · Internet Development Forum, with the theme of "Digital Empowerment Creates a Better Tomorrow: Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," will take place in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, from Nov. 23 to 24. During the same period, other activities including the Release of World Leading Internet Scientific and Technological Achievements in 2020, the Light of Internet Expo, and the "Straight to Wuzhen" Global Internet Competition, will also be held.

The World Internet Conference has been successfully held for six years and has drawn great attention from the international community. Its influence has increased day by day. Since the beginning of this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, and the international situation has undergone profound changes. In this context, it is particularly important to uphold the concept of a community with a shared future in cyberspace and strive to promote the development of global cyberspace towards a more inclusive, balanced and win-win direction. Given the changing situation and unchanged principles, we are actively exploring new models and new paths for organizing the World Internet Conference so as to show Chinese approach, wisdom and China's responsibility for advancing internet development and governance in a multifaceted and multi-dimensional way.

Compared with previous years, there are three new changes in this year's forum. First, the format of the forum has been changed. We decided to hold the "World Internet Conference · Internet Development Forum" in the name of the World Internet Conference organizing committee, instead of organizing the 7th World Internet Conference. Second, the scale of the forum has been adjusted. Against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of guests, sub-forums and the conference duration have all been revised. The forum is expected to be "small-scale but significant" and "novel and lively." Third, there are new ways to participate. Various activities will be carried out on site and via video link. A live scene will be set up in Wuzhen, and guests who cannot attend the event in person will be able to participate online.

While actively adapting to the changing situation and proactively innovating for changes, the style and principles of this year's World Internet Conference remain unchanged.

First, it will focus on the theme and promote further cooperation. "Building a community with a shared future in cyberspace" has been a consistent theme of the World Internet Conference. The forum this year will fully implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important thoughts on building China's strength in cyberspace, earnestly focus on General Secretary Xi's proposal to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, and continuously establish a global platform promoting connectivity between China and the rest of world and a Chinese platform for global internet to be shared and governed by all. Under the principles of openness, equality, mutual trust, and win-win, we will work with the rest of the world to facilitate a global digital economy, promote economic recovery, and join hands with all parties to bring more vitality to the community with a shared future in cyberspace.

Second, it keeps pace with new trends and aims to present creative ideas. Maintaining its high-end positioning, this year's forum will consist of one main forum and five sub-forums, providing platforms for exchanges of global, forward-looking, and strategic ideas, as well as leading and inclusive insights. Turning to content, high-end forums will continue to be held, including the "International Norms in Cyberspace: Practices and Explorations Forum," the "Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Cyberspace," the "Artificial Intelligence Forum," and "Innovation and Breakthrough in Industrial Internet Forum." The "Youth and Digital Future Forum" will also take place to attract attention to the development and growth of the younger generation. Outstanding youth representatives will be invited to talk about the responsibilities and accountability of young people in the digital age. As for sideline activities, about 15 cutting-edge achievements of 2020 will be presented at the Release of World Leading Internet Scientific and Technological Achievements. The Light of Internet Expo will focus on the latest development trends and cutting-edge technologies of the internet around the globe and showcase world-leading and innovative technological achievements, products and applications. The "Straight to Wuzhen" Global Internet Competition will showcase the digital technology application in anti-pandemic efforts and internet innovation achievements. Ten teams with innovative projects from all over the world will compete in the finals, showing the vitality of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Third, we will promote cooperation through concerted efforts. The forum will actively promote cooperation with international organizations, industry associations, technology communities, and global think tanks, pooling wisdom, bridging differences, strengthening mutual trust, facilitating more consensus and outcomes for building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, and further advance the goals set out in Wuzhen. In addition, the forum will also release the World Internet Development Report 2020 and China Internet Development Report 2020, which will comprehensively and deeply analyze the trend of internet development in the world and in China, and provide lessons and intellectual support for global internet development and governance.

Dear friends, there are merely 20 days to go before the 7th World Internet Conference · Internet Development Forum opens. The preparatory work for the forum is now underway in an orderly manner as planned. We will strictly implement the requirements for regular epidemic prevention and control, and host a more distinctive and wonderful forum in a safe, frugal and efficient manner.

Thank you.