CCTV:

What were the considerations when deciding the theme of the World Internet Conference 2021, "Towards a New Era of Digital Civilization – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace?"

Zhao Zeliang:

I will answer the question. Currently, with the rapid development of digitalization, the 2021 WIC's theme, "Towards a New Era of Digital Civilization – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," has special meanings. We all know that the first WIC was held in 2014 and since then we have held the conference for seven times. For the past more than seven years, the four principles for advancing the transformation of the global internet governance system and the five proposals for building a community with a shared future in cyberspace put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping have been widely recognized by the international community. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic last year, the internet has played an important role in recovering the global economy recovery, resuming the normal functioning of society, and promoting international anti-epidemic cooperation. The importance and urgency to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace has become even more prominent. 

"Towards a New Era of Digital Civilization – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace" means that the WIC aims to broaden the common ground of the international community for achieving security, stability and prosperity in cyberspace. The WIC will focus on the new trends and hot issues in the development of the new round of technological revolution, and address the new challenges and problems in global cyberspace development and governance. We will widely expand the consensus of the international community and ensure that digital innovation benefits people of all countries and a better future for mankind will be built with joint efforts in humanity's progress towards a digital civilization.  

"Towards a New Era of Digital Civilization – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace" is also expected to show China's sincerity for cooperation and to deliver confidence and strength in global cyberspace. Upholding the principles of mutually beneficial, open and shared development, the WIC aims to promote in-depth international digital cooperation, enhance solidarity and mutual trust in cyberspace, and present China's sincere wish and strong resolution to share new digital opportunities with the world and advance international digital cooperation. 

"Towards a New Era of Digital Civilization – Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace" also means that the WIC hopes to present Chinese wisdom and solutions to the world, share China's experience and achievements in promoting internet development and governance, and demonstrates the country's sense of responsibility to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace. Thank you.