China Celebrates 10th Anniversary of World Internet Conference and Wuzhen Summit

The recent days have seen a flurry of activity as China celebrates the tenth anniversary of its World Internet Conference and Wuzhen Summit, where President Xi Jinping proposed advocating development priority and building a more inclusive and prosperous cyberspace while also emphasizing common safety in peril and creating a peaceful online environment.

The event kicked off with an address by President Xi, who stressed the need for a more balanced approach towards internet usage, focusing on both growth and security. This was met with mixed reactions from Chinese netizens on social media platform Weibo, with some supporting his initiative while others expressed concerns about the potential restriction of online freedom.

One netizen posted: "I think it's high time we started thinking about the balance between development and safety. With the rapid growth of the internet in China, it's essential to ensure its use doesn't harm anyone." However, another user countered with: "What does 'common safety in peril' mean? Are they trying to limit our online freedom?"

The conference also saw a meeting between 360 Company founder and CEO, Zhou Hongyi, and Beautiful Zhejiang editor. When asked about his hometown, Zhou answered that he considers himself from Hubei as both his parents are from the province. This simple exchange drew attention on Weibo, with many netizens praising Zhou's humility and down-to-earth attitude.

One user wrote: "Zhou Hongyi is such an inspiration! He is so grounded, always keeping in mind his roots." Another added: "Love how he answered that question. It shows his real character!"

The Wuzhen Summit has been held for ten years, and over the past decade, it has witnessed numerous transformations in China's internet industry. In 2023, the focus is on civilization exchanges, safety alongside danger, convenience for all, innovation for profitability, and exploring and developing new fields in the internet sector. According to a netizen: "The World Internet Conference and Wuzhen Summit have become important platforms for China's internet development. They set the direction for future growth."

Another netizen expressed their excitement about the potential of the internet in China, stating: "The world is watching what happens at this conference, and I believe that over the next ten years, we will see some groundbreaking changes."

Other highlights from the summit include interactive posters that allow users to input a hint word and get different styles of posters or pictures. This technological advancement was lauded by many Weibo netizens as an example of China's innovation in the digital world.

One user wrote: "The technology at this conference is incredible! I love how they have interactive posters." Another added: "I can't wait to see what else they have in store for us!"

These advancements, however, also brought out some inflammatory remarks from netizens. One user posted: "Why do we need such technological gimmicks? Just let us focus on real issues like online safety and privacy."

In the evening of the summit's first day, Wuzhen's quiet streets and simple lights provided a stark contrast to the bustling Washington Zoo in the United States. Many netizens praised Wuzhen for maintaining its charm despite its growth and development. One user posted: "Wuzhen is just like an old town at night. It's so peaceful and serene."

Another netizen expressed gratitude towards President Xi's proposal, stating: "Thank you, President Xi, for your visionary approach towards the internet. We need to ensure its growth while also maintaining safety and security."

As the conference continues, the world awaits the outcomes of these important discussions that could shape the future of China's internet landscape.