The two-day 2025 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit opened on April 14th in Hong Kong. Themed "Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the summit gathered nearly 1,000 high-level delegates from government departments, international organizations, enterprises, civil society groups, and academia across over 50 countries and regions.
In his opening speech, Wang Yong, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), expressed China's aspirations for global internet governance and development. He noted that the Chinese government has consistently embraced the digital era with openness, sharing opportunities and benefits of internet development with Asia-Pacific nations and countries worldwide, to address development deficits, deepen economic cooperation, and promote cross-cultural exchanges. China stands ready to collaborate with other countries in advancing technological innovation, strengthening cybersecurity, improving governance frameworks, leveraging digital technologies to bolster global economic ties for the benefit of all humanity, and advancing the world toward a bright future of digital and intelligent integration.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu described the summit as a testament to Hong Kong's rising role as an international innovation and technology hub, reflecting the city's deepening integration with national development. Amid geopolitical and trade tensions, he stressed the importance of cooperation, reaffirming Hong Kong's commitment to free trade and multilateralism. "Hong Kong welcomes all businesses that share our vision and are keen to grow with us in this global city," he said.
Zhuang Rongwen, Chief of the Cyberspace Administration of China and Chairman of the World Internet Conference, highlighted that the summit's theme aligns with the trends of the information age, focusing on AI development and security. He called for enhanced dialogue, consensus-building, and cooperation to harness the opportunities of digital-intelligence integration, creating new momentum for Asia-Pacific growth and shaping a brighter "digital future."
Zheng Yanxiong, Deputy Director of the State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, emphasized Hong Kong's role as a pioneer in internet development. He encouraged the city to serve as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" for digital-intelligence integration, leveraging its strengths in technological innovation, institutional advantage, and international connectivity to contribute to building a community with a shared future in cyberspace. The summit featured a forum titled "Main Forum on the Digital Intelligence Future," exploring topics such as foundational technologies for digital advancement, AI applications across industries, and security and governance in the digital-intelligence age; and three parallel sessions delving into large-scale AI models, digital finance, and digital governance with smart living solutions.
Hosted by the World Internet Conference and organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, with support from the HKSAR Innovation, Technology, and Industry Bureau, the summit reinforced Hong Kong's role in fostering global digital collaboration.
Source: People's Daily, VOC
