New Year Message from the Chair of the World Internet Conference

New Year Message from the Chair of the World Internet Conference

(31 December 2023)

Distinguished members of the World Internet Conference and its Council, and dear friends who share aspirations and seek common development with the World Internet Conference,

Happy New Year!

The river of time surges forward with unstoppable momentum. In 2023, we celebrated the 10th year of the World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, which has witnessed significant outcomes achieved over the years. President Xi Jinping delivered a video speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 WIC Wuzhen Summit, presenting the “Three Calls”: China calls for prioritizing development and building a prosperous cyberspace that benefits all; China calls for sharing weal and woe and building a more peaceful and secure cyberspace; China calls for mutual learning among civilizations and the building of a more equal and inclusive cyberspace. His remarks resonated across the international community. Experts and industry leaders from various countries echoed the notion that President Xi’s address serves as a forward-looking manifesto and scientific guide for action. It not only charts the course for advancing the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace, but also holds profound significance for the development and governance of the internet.

The year 2023 marks a year of robust growth and rapid development for the WIC. Throughout the year, we successfully held the 2023 WIC Wuzhen Summit and the Nishan Dialogue on Digital Civilization, among other high-level events. We established the Zhejiang Office, and inaugurated working groups focusing on cross-border e-commerce, AI, and data, with impactful outcome documents released during the 2023 WIC Wuzhen Summit. We convened three Council meetings, during which a series of institutional documents were adopted. The WIC Award for Pioneering Science and Technology was instituted, and regular flagship initiatives, such as the Global Youth Leadership Program (GYLP), were launched. We also formed a multilingual, cross-platform communication matrix to broaden our reach. Significant progress and notable achievements have been made across all aspects of our work. As Chair of the WIC, I extend my sincere respect to all Council members, WIC members, and friends from all walks of life for their contribution. I also wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all individuals and organizations that have steadfastly supported and participated in the WIC’s endeavors.

At present, changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding in ways like never before. Having traversed an extraordinary journey, we now usher in a new year. We are profoundly moved by the sincere aspirations of people across nations to collectively propel peace and development in cyberspace, their earnest longing to jointly engage in the international governance of cyberspace, and their fervent vision for a bright and shared future in the realm. With these goals in mind, the WIC will strive to forge a premier platform for international cooperation and exchange in cyberspace, establishing a multifaceted collaborative system underpinned by multiple platforms and participated in by diverse stakeholders. We remain steadfast in driving global digital innovation and development, and cultivating an open and mutually beneficial framework for international collaboration in cyberspace. Moreover, we will work diligently to further consolidate global consensus on digital development, and explore the building of a cyberspace that is fairer and more equitable, more open and inclusive, safer and more stable, and more vibrant.

As we bid farewell to the passing year, we welcome the dawn of a new one. The year 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi’s visionary national cyber development strategy and the 30th year since China achieved full-featured connectivity to the internet. This milestone will not only be a testament to the continued development of the internet, but also position us to play a pivotal role in contributing to its development and governance. In unity we find our strength, and hand in hand we can go to any length. Let us enhance communication, deepen practical cooperation, and harness the collective strength of all stakeholders to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace and create a brighter future for global internet development.

I wish you all a happy New Year!

Zhuang Rongwen,

Chair of the World Internet Conference