Qian Hualin

-Individual recipient of World Internet Conference Distinguished Contribution Award 

"The essence of the internet is cooperation and sharing," Qian Hualin, the technical architect behind China's full access to the internet, said in a recent interview, expressing with quiet conviction a belief he has held throughout his life.

As a pioneer who helped connect China with the rest of the world through the internet, Qian appeared at 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, where he was presented with the 2025 WIC Distinguished Contribution Award. 

Having witnessed and taken part in the entire journey of China's internet development from its infancy to rapid growth, Qian is widely regarded as both a founder and a witness of the nation's progress toward becoming a major cyber power.

Returning to the Wuzhen Summit after a decade, Qian reflected on the dramatic changes he has seen. 

"The level of technological development is completely different," he said. "Back then, networks were mainly used for basic information retrieval. Today, we have entered a new stage of intelligent development," he added.

Looking back to the late 1980s, Qian recalled that China's scientific community was facing severe "information isolation" and while the international internet was developing rapidly, Chinese scientists struggled with limited access to information. 

"We had to build our own networks," he said, "Otherwise, Chinese scientists would be cut off from the world." This realization became the driving force behind his lifelong commitment to internet development.

The early days were anything but easy. "At the initial stage, we lacked both essential network equipment and international communications links," Qian recalled, "we were starting from scratch, advancing step by step in a complete vacuum."

Years of perseverance culminated in a historic breakthrough on April 20, 1994, when China achieved full access to the international internet and formally joined the global internet community.

Facing today's new wave of technological change led by artificial intelligence, Qian demonstrated the wisdom and broad vision of a senior scientist. 

"The current level of internet development far exceeds what we experienced in our time," he said. Speaking of young scientific and technological talent, he stressed the importance of giving greater attention and encouragement to the younger generation, expressing hope that the WIC would continue to empower young innovators as a driving force in China's new phase of internet development.

Qian said he believes that China holds unique advantages in the era of artificial intelligence. Its large population and vast online information resources, he noted, provide fertile ground for the evolution of AI technologies. 

At the same time, he consistently underscored a fundamental principle of scientific progress that technological innovation must ultimately serve society and benefit the people.

Addressing concerns about the social impact of technological change, Qian maintained a scientist's rationality and optimism. "New technologies will not lead to the end of humanity," he said, "Society will establish new forms of balance through innovation." 

In his view, while technological transformation may bring short-term challenges, it will ultimately drive society toward a higher level of balance and development.