On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised the need to respect cyber sovereignty and each country’s way of internet governance.
In a video address delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, Xi stressed the need to let the fruits of internet development benefit more countries and people.
Bridging Digital Divide, Securing Cyberspace
Xi stated that his idea, at the second WIC in 2015, of jointly creating a society with a shared destiny in cyberspace has received favourable feedback and broad international acknowledgement.
The Chinese president also highlighted the need to improve public access to information-based services.
President Xi Jinping delivered a video address at the opening ceremony of 2023 #WorldInternetConference Wuzhen Summit. The building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace is a natural choice in answering the call of the times&the common aspiration of intl community. pic.twitter.com/Om8R9kjntk
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) November 8, 2023
He further called for bridging the digital divide and building a more peaceful, equal, inclusive, and secure cyberspace.
Moreover, Xi underscored the need to oppose seeking hegemony, bloc confrontation and arms race in cyberspace.
The Chinese president also urged the international community to deepen exchanges and practical cooperation to advance the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace to a new stage.
Crackdown on Cyber Crimes, Safe Development of AI
In his address, Xi underlined that it is necessary to crack down on cybercrimes and strengthen data security and personal information protection.
He also spoke of appropriately responding to the risks and challenges brought by sci-tech development to rules, society, and ethics.
The Chinese leader mentioned that Beijing is willing to work with all parties to implement the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative, and expressed his country’s desire to promote the safe development of AI.
At the conference, Li Shulei, director of the Communist Party’s publicity department, further echoed Xi’s remarks.
Shulei said China would work with other countries to “improve the safety, reliability, controllability and fairness of artificial intelligence technology.”
Lastly, Xi outlined the need for more excellent digital cultural content and initiatives to present the remarkable accomplishments of human civilisations adequately and actively encourage the preservation and advancement of civilisations.
The Chinese government launched the WIC as an annual event in 2014 to discuss internet development.