WIC: Platform that links China and the world

The fifth annual World Internet Conference has opened in Wuzhen, with experts from around the globe gathering to discuss how the development of the Internet looks set to shape our life into the future.

A visitor experiences a VR set at the fifth World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 7, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Cai Yang]

This year's conference is focused on the development of the digital economy both in China and around the world, as well as questions around cyberspace governance.

Clas Neumann is the senior vice president of the German company System Applications and Products. His company is looking to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the event to develop ties with industry counterparts in China.

"From the program, we see a very clear focus this year on the relevance of the Internet for industrial application and digital economy. So we want to exchange with other experts from China and from abroad on specifically the industrial applications of internet."

The Global Vice President of the New York-based EastWest Institute, Bruce McConnell, has hailed the Wuzhen conference for its role as a platform for information sharing.

"So the World Internet Conference is very helpful in bringing together many many Chinese companies. Every year there are more Chinese companies here, innovative companies who are doing new things and building new applications and technology. So I think the primary benefit of it is to bring all these Chinese companies together and have them meet each other and exchange ideas. It's also a good platform for foreign visitors to come and see what's going on in China"

And closer to home, Pony Ma, the president of China's tech giant Tencent, said that the gathering provides an opportunity for participants gathered from around the world to witness the development of Internet technology in China.

"This is my fifth time coming to Wuzhen, and I see new development every year. This year, Wuzhen is trialing a 5G network. Last night, I spoke to the chairman of China Telecom, and he told me that their 5G technology is faster than optical fiber. I think that maybe next year, here at Wuzhen, we could see more mobile virtual-reality hardware on display. We should also seriously consider developing a virtual-reality version of WeChat."

On the sidelines of the three-day event is the Light of the Internet Expo, where tech companies are showcasing their latest products.