China's Supreme People's Court hosted a forum on the rule of law and the internet. Chief justices, judges and legal professionals from about 20 countries and regions gathered in the eastern city of Wuzhen to discuss new norms and rules for cyberspace.

Zhou Qiang, president and chief justice of the Supreme People's Court, said China has been paying great attention to cybersecurity and would like to share its judicial experience in promoting cyberspace governance through the rule of law with the international community.

With the rapid development of information technology like artificial intelligence, blockchain and 5G, new types of disputes arise in the digital age. Participants said that it is urgent to explore new approaches in the internet judiciary.

"The forum has set a very important milestone for the world judiciary. We have not had an engagement on this very pressing issue in the stage. China has shown leadership. I think it's really amazing in bringing us together," said Mandisa Muriel Maya, president of the Supreme Court of Appeal, South Africa.

Meaza Ashenafi, president of the Supreme Court of Ethiopia said, "With increasing innovation, the strategies and techniques to regulate have also to involve. That definitely requires international cooperation."

Participants welcome the benefits of technology, but they warn it can be a double-edged sword.

They are seeking to build an integrated framework for global regulation and governance of cyberspace.

"We are seeking to ensure the appropriate norms and standards in the world of cyberspace, not only nationally, but also internationally, among nations," said Adrian Dudley Saunders, president of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Iwan Rasoelbaks, acting president of the High Court of Justice, Suriname, said "to use the technology in the judiciary, you must have a good protection system. I think blockchain is a good mechanism."

Participants passed a declaration on building a community with shared future of cyberspace through the rule of law.