10 years on: WIC epitomizes China's active role in global internet development and governance

Building a community of shared future in cyberspace is not only an inevitable choice to answer the challenge of the times, but also the common call of the international community, said Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit via video on Wednesday.

Xi stressed that the international community needs to deepen exchanges and practical cooperation to jointly advance the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace to a new stage.

He called for prioritizing development to let the fruits of internet development benefit more countries and people, and underscore the needs to crack down on cyber crimes, strengthen data security and personal information protection, and properly respond to the risks and challenges brought by sci-tech development to rules, society and ethics.

China is willing to work with all parties to implement the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Initiative and promote the safe development of AI, Xi said.

Initiative in frontier field

AI, a new frontier of human development, comes with major opportunities and unpredictable risks and challenges that require global response.

In October, China announced to launch the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative, elaborating China's plan for AI governance from its development, security and governance, and proposing principles of a people-centered approach, the development of AI for the good of humanity, respect for sovereignty and joint governance.

The initiative presents a constructive approach to addressing universal concerns over AI development and governance, and drew up blueprints for relevant international discussions and rule-making, which is part of China's active effort to advance the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

In late October, the UN launched a High-level Advisory Body on AI to improve global governance of the fast-evolving new tools, and two Chinese scholars were selected as its members.

"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible member of the international community, China supports efforts to discuss AI governance within the UN framework, increase the representation and say of developing countries, and develop AI governance frameworks, norms and standards based on broad consensus," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

More recently, the Chinese delegation at the AI Safety Summit hosted by the UK stated that the country is ready to increase collaboration on AI safety to help build an international "governance framework."

As a developing country, China aims to promote exchanges and communication on AI issues with all participating parties and pool wisdom for a governance framework with broad consensus.

The delegation promoted the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative at the summit, called on countries to actively advocate for the principles of being people-oriented and developing AI for good, strengthen technology risk management and control, and encourage all parties to cooperate and govern together based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

A global platform for sharing and exchanges on cyberspace governance

Since 2014, the WIC has deepened cooperation in the digital field and brought together roughly 12,000 participants covering 172 countries and regions, becoming a universally recognized high-end exchange and cooperation platform in cyberspace.

A slew of outcomes have been yielded, including a concept document and an initiative on jointly building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, and a document titled "Cyber Sovereignty: Theory and Practice," providing a Chinese perspective on global internet governance.

The WIC was inaugurated as an international organization in July, meeting the wide call of the international community for dialogue, consultation and cooperation in cyberspace. So far, almost 130 Internet enterprises, institutions and individuals from 25 countries and regions around the world have joined as members.

Themed "Creating an Inclusive and Resilient Digital World Beneficial to All – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the WIC this year will feature a series of exhibitions, awards and project-launch events, along with 20 sub-forums concerning global development initiatives, AI, computing networks, and cyber protection for minors.

Over the past decade, China has always adhered to the concept of building a community of shared future in cyberspace, turned ideological consensus into concrete actions, and delivered benefits to people worldwide through cyberspace development.

In Southeast Asia, a Chinese enterprise has helped Thailand build the first 5G smart hospital in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, promoting the intelligent transformation of medical service processes. In Latin America, China has carried out innovative cooperation with countries including Brazil and Ecuador to help protect the Amazon rainforest ecosystems via digital technologies, and in Africa, China helped South Africa build the region's first 5G commercial network and 5G laboratory.

Such practices have proven that China is not only an active advocate, but also a firm practitioner and strong leader in building a community of shared future in cyberspace.

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