World Internet Conference: 5th annual summit kicks off in Wuzhen

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02:28

The 5th World Internet Conference started Wednesday with an aim to build "a community with a shared future in cyberspace". This year's theme is "creating a digital world of mutual trust and collective governance". CGTN's Xu Mengqi has more from Wuzhen.

In the picturesque eastern Chinese town of Wuzhen, an annual gathering in the name of the internet.

At the opening ceremony, a congratulatory letter from Chinese president Xi Jinping pointing out the urgency for faster development of the digital economy, and a fairer global internet governance system.

HUANG KUNMING, MEMBER POLITICAL BUREAU OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA CENTRAL COMMITTEE "Although the world's countries are at different stages of internet development, and face different challenges. But we have the same desire to promote a digital economy. The interests in tackling challenges to cyber security are also the same, as is the need to enhance cyberspace management."

Representatives from international organizations, leading global and Chinese tech companies, as well as foreign government officials also spoke at the ceremony.

WHITFIELD DIFFIE 2015 TURING AWARD WINNER "What was important I thought in Xi Jinping's message, in his letter, was his recognition of the importance of the internet, which serves such an important constituency, and in consequence of that, it requires very broad governance that is not dominated by any particular power."

XU MENGQI WUZHEN "Now in its fifth year, the conference continues to welcome old and new faces to its discussions, and many come with a similar purpose: to see what China has to offer the internet economy and governance."

LUIGI GAMBARDELLA, PRESIDENT CHINA-EU ASSOCIATION FOR DIGITAL "It's the only place where you can meet Chinese entrepreneurs. You can meet so many Chinese companies, and we know how much the innovation is coming from China."

LOUIS KAMSU ETHMAN, IT DIRECTOR MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND EAC, SOUTH SUDAN "The African continent, some places aren't reached by the internet and digital world, so it's good, to invite them every year to come and learn and know what is going on in the internet era."

The three-day conference will feature 19 sub-forums with discussions on key topics such as artificial intelligence, 5G technology, cyber security, and more. XMQ, CGTN, Wuzhen, Zhejiang province.