World Internet Conference
The World Internet Conference (WIC; 世界互联网大会), also known as the Wuzhen Summit (乌镇峰会), is an annual event, first held in 2014, organized by the government of the People's Republic of China to discuss global Internet issues and policies. It is organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China.
| World Internet Conference 世界互联网大会 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Active |
| Locations | Wuzhen, Zhejiang |
| Country | China |
| Inaugurated | November 19, 2014 |
| Organized by | Cyberspace Administration of China Zhejiang Provincial People's Government |
| Website | www.wicinternet.org  |
| World Internet Conference | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 世界互联网大会 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 世界互聯網大會 | ||||||
| |||||||
| Wuzhen Summit | |||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 乌镇峰会 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 烏鎮峰會 | ||||||
| |||||||
The World Internet Conference (WIC; 世界互联网大会), also known as the Wuzhen Summit (乌镇峰会), is an annual event, first held in 2014, organized by the government of the People's Republic of China to discuss global Internet issues and policies.[1] It is organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China.[2]
Wuzhen Declaration
[edit]At the first World Internet Conference in 2014, an unknown party distributed a draft joint statement affirming the right of individual nations to develop, use, and govern the Internet, a concept Chinese Communist Party (CCP) general secretary and paramount leader Xi Jinping calls cyber sovereignty.[3] Attendees received a draft of the statement overnight, slid under their hotel doors. As some objected to the statement, the organizers made no mention of it in the conference's final day.[4]
Summits
[edit]1st World Internet Conference
[edit]The inaugural World Internet Conference took place from November 19 to 21, 2014, with the topic "Connectivity, Sharing and Governance." Li Keqiang, the Premier of the State Council, engaged with Chinese and foreign delegates at the conference.[5][6]
2nd World Internet Conference
[edit]The second World Internet Conference in 2015 was attended by notable figures including co-founder of Alibaba Group Jack Ma, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the prime ministers of Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.[7] Xi promoted his concept of "Internet sovereignty", urging the world to "respect each country's Internet sovereignty, respect each country's right to choose their own development path and management model of the internet". Xi's speech was praised by Ma.[7] The official Chinese media commented that Xi Jinping's speech showed China was bullish on Internet growth and China would build a "Digital Silk Road for Win-Win Cooperation-Information Infrastructure Partnership".[8] The second World Internet Conference releases the Wuzhen Initiative (Chinese: 乌镇倡议; pinyin: Wūzhèn Chàngyì), which calls on all countries to promote Internet development, foster cultural diversity in cyber space, share the fruits of Internet development, ensure peace and security in cyber space, and improve global Internet governance.[9] During the Conference a high-level advisory council (HAC for short) for the WIC's organizing committee secretariat was established, and the Wuzhen Initiative was proposed.[10][11] The initiative was released with the conference.[12] The Wuzhen Initiative includes specifically mentions the Internet needs and online protection of teenagers. The ultimate goal of the Initiative is to build a common spiritual homeland for all people on this planet.[13] Fadi Chehadé, the president of ICANN, thinks the Wuzhen Initiative is a good step in stimulating technological innovation and new approaches to innovate and govern the Internet.[14]
However, the event was criticized by Amnesty International, which called on technology companies to boycott the conference.[7] Amnesty International urged tech firms to reject China's position, calling it an attempt to promote censorship (on fake news).[15]
In December 2015, Fadi Chehadé announced that, after he leaves his post as ICANN CEO in March 2016, he will become co-chair of a newly formed advisory committee to the World Internet Conference. The first meeting of the committee will take place in mid 2016.[16]
3rd World Internet Conference
[edit]The 3rd World Internet Conference occurred from November 16 to 18, 2016, under the theme "Innovation-driven Internet Development for the Benefit of All - Building a Community of Common Future in Cyberspace."[17][18] Former Australian prime minister Bob Hawke, participated in the conference.[19][20][21]
4th World Internet Conference
[edit]In December 2017, the 4th annual conference was held in China. Apple Inc.'s Tim Cook and Google's Sundar Pichai made their first appearances at Wuzhen Summit.[22] Pu Meng, Chairman of Qualcomm China, gave a keynote speech about advances of 5G and AI.[23][24][25]
5th World Internet Conference
[edit]In November 2018, Xinhua's World first artificial intelligence (AI) anchor makes debut at the 5th annual conference that opens in China.[26]
6th World Internet Conference
[edit]
The 6th edition of the World Internet Conference was held on October 20–21, 2019, with the theme of "Joining Hands in Constructing a Community of Shared Future in Cyberspace".[27]
World Internet Conference - Forum on Internet Development
[edit]The 7th World Internet Conference was not conducted in 2020 due to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and was substituted by the World Internet Conference-Internet Development Forum,[28] scheduled to take place in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, from November 23 to 24.[29][30]
8th World Internet Conference
[edit]
The 8th World Internet Conference occurred in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, from September 26 to 28, 2021, under the subject "Towards a New Era of Digital Civilization—Building a Community of Destiny in Cyberspace Together." The conference was conducted in a hybrid format, featuring both in-person and virtual components. A live venue was established in Wuzhen for various activities, and some distinguished people were asked to attend online.[31][32]
World Internet Conference 2022
[edit]The World Internet Conference's worldwide organization was created on July 12, 2022, and the Wuzhen Summit of the 2022 World Internet Conference commenced on November 9, 2022, in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province.[33]
World Internet Conference 2023
[edit]The World Internet Conference commenced on November 8, 2023, in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province. The conference centers on the regulation of artificial intelligence.[34][35]
World Internet Conference 2024
[edit]On November 22, 2024, the Wuzhen Summit of the World Internet Conference 2024, entitled "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future—Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," finished its proceedings.[36][37]
World Internet Conference 2025
[edit]The 2025 World Internet Conference opened in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, on November 7, 2025.[38] Li Shulei, a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and minister of the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.[39][40] The summit's theme was "Jointly Building an Open, Cooperative, Secure, and Inclusive Digital and Intelligent Future—Working Together to Build a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace."[41][42]
Responses
[edit]Lack of open access
[edit]The 2015 World Internet Conference organizers denied entry to reporters for certain U.S. media outlets, such as The New York Times.[1][43] In response, Reporters Without Borders called for a boycott of the 2015 World Internet Conference.[44]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Makinen, Julie; Yang, Yingzhi; Li, Alexandra (2015-12-15). "'Freedom requires strict order': China preps for second World Internet Conference". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ Bandurski, David (July 14, 2022). "Taking China's Global Cyber Body to Task". China Media Project. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ "Xi Jinping calls for 'cyber sovereignty' at internet conference". BBC News. 2015-12-15. Archived from the original on 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "China Delivers Midnight Internet Declaration — Offline". The Wall Street Journal. 2014-11-21. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ "Wuzhen ready to welcome global guests- Chinadaily.com.cn". China Daily Website (in Latin). 2014-11-18. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "World Internet Conference opens in E China's Wuzhen". The State Council of the People's Republic of China. 2014-11-19. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ a b c Zeng, Vivienne (18 December 2015). "Albaba's Jack Ma sings praises of Xi's global vision of 'internet management'". Hong Kong Free Press.
- ^ "Xi's speech: Reactions from the ground". China Daily. 2015-12-17. Archived from the original on 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
- ^ Zhu, Shenshen (29 December 2015). "Wuzhen initiative on Internet future". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- ^ "The 2nd WIC Organizing Committee proposes the Wuzhen Initiative". 2015-12-18. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
- ^ "High-level advisory committee established for World Internet Conference". 2015-12-21. Archived from the original on 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
- ^ Zhu, Shenshen (18 December 2015). "Wuzhen initiative on Internet future". Shanghai Daily. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ "（原创）《乌镇倡议》彰显人民性与国际性--冷眼看世间情--凤凰网博客". blog.ifeng.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-29. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
- ^ Ma, Si. "Global efforts vital for Web governance". China Daily. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ Griffiths, James (2015-12-16). "Chinese President Xi Jinping: Hands off our Internet". CNN. Archived from the original on 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ Chehadé, Fadi (23 December 2015). "My Transition from ICANN CEO, an Update". ICANN Blog. ICANN. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
- ^ "World internet Conference to be held in E China's Wuzhen". State Council of the People's Republic of China. 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "Officials, specialists to meet at annual World Internet Conference". China Daily (in Latin). 2016-10-12. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "World Internet Conference shows global efforts to benefit people". China Daily. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "Fast forward". www.ezhejiang.gov.cn. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Senior CPC official meets foreign World Internet Conference guests - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Horwitz, Josh (4 December 2017). "Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai's surprise remarks at China's "open Internet" conference". qz.com. Quartz. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- ^ "高通中国区董事长孟樸：5G时代，信息传播将迎来大变革". 乌镇_新浪财经_新浪网 (in Chinese). 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
- ^ "十年轨迹". 高通孟樸：5G+AI 实现人与万物的智能连接_世界互联网大会 (in Chinese). 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
- ^ "高通孟樸寄语"乌镇峰会"：通过峰会让全球见证中国企业更多进步_世界互联网大会". 世界互联网大会 (in Chinese). 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
- ^ Handley, Lucy (2018-11-09). "The 'world's first' A.I. news anchor has gone live in China". CNBC. Archived from the original on 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
- ^ "携手构建网络空间命运共同体 (Joining hands in constructing a community of shared future in cyberspace)". Official Website of the World Internet Conference (Chinese). WIC organizing committee. 2019-10-16. Archived from the original on 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
- ^ "习近平向世界互联网大会·互联网发展论坛致贺信-新华网". Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ ""世界互联网大会·互联网发展论坛"闭幕_滚动新闻_中国政府网". State Council of the People's Republic of China (in Chinese). 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "世界互联网大会·互联网发展论坛（主论坛：数字经济与科技抗疫）_直播_新华网". Xinhua (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "迈向数字文明新时代的中国方案-新华网". Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "习近平向2021年世界互联网大会乌镇峰会致贺信_滚动新闻_中国政府网". 中国政府网_中央人民政府门户网站 (in Chinese). 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "习近平向世界互联网大会国际组织成立致贺信_滚动新闻_中国政府网". 中国政府网_中央人民政府门户网站 (in Chinese). 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ 张美霞, 责任编辑： (2023-11-09). "2023年世界互联网大会乌镇峰会开幕-新华每日电讯". Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "2023年世界互联网大会乌镇峰会开幕_要闻图片_中国政府网". 中国政府网_中央人民政府门户网站 (in Chinese). 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "2024 World Internet Conference". Chinadaily.com.cn. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit eyes people-centered digital future". The State Council of the People's Republic of China. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ "World Internet Conference honors pioneering sci-tech projects". English.news.cn. 2025-11-06. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "2025年世界互联网大会乌镇峰会开幕". China Daily (in Chinese). 2025-11-07. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
- ^ "World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit eyes open, inclusive digital future". China Internet Information Center. 2025-11-08. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
- ^ "2025年世界互联网大会乌镇峰会开幕 --新闻报道-中国共产党新闻网". People's Daily (in Chinese). 2025-11-08. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
- ^ "2025年世界互联网大会乌镇峰会开幕-新华网". Xinhua News Agency (in Chinese). 2025-11-07. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
- ^ Zeng, Vivienne (2015-12-15). "Not shared by all? China blocks New York Times from World Internet Conference". Hong Kong Free Press. Archived from the original on 2024-09-21. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ^ Carsten, Paul (2015-12-16). "China calls for Internet front to fight hacking, cyber 'arms race'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
