World better off with China's embrace of Internet
Updated: 2015-12-15 11:43
By Wu Jiangang(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
||||||||
A big electronic screen displays some information about Zhejiang province in Wuzhen, Dec 12, 2015. [Photo/IC] |
The host country, which has the world's largest 4G network and is soon expected to be the leader in 5G with largest group of Internet users of 668 million, may have the qualification to play a bigger role in the world of Internet community. China also has about 20,900 websites providing education, health care and other professional Internet information services. Four out of the world's top 10 Internet companies are from China, namely Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu and JD.com, with the other six all from the United States.
Though the foreign representatives include prime ministers of several neighboring countries, UN senior officials, some big Internet companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Nokia, there is still space to improve the representation.
Discussions may be raised towards China's prudent regulations on Internet. But China, with the largest population, unique system and special development scenarios, would reasonably have its own strategic interests and own laws for foreign firms that want to enter China to consider or abide by.
A stabilized China is in line with global interests, which is especially true comparing China's security, prosperity and vibrancy with chaos in some places around the world. Considering that the Internet can be an amplifier of those who speak more or speak louder but not more correct or better, China's prudent regulations are not without wisdom. It is especially true in such a country whose development is not well balanced in different provinces and groups in its particular stage of development.
Tortured by wars and social unrest for about a century, Chinese people cherish the hard-won stabilization epoch and want to use such a window of strategic opportunity to solve challengeable social and economic problems and any distraction can be regarded as annoying or even unbearable. Such feelings are difficult to understand for people who stay in rich society.
Just as freedom is not totally free, the Internet is a tool that can either do good or bad. While China may seem to be too prudent in preventing the Internet's bad effect, its attitude to let it do good is obvious.
With President Xi Jinping expected to attend this year's WIC, which makes the industry conference somewhat special. It shows the determination of the government to support the society in benefiting from Internet. As Internet is essentially pluralistic and open, China is actually on its way to a more open society.
Though the government's "Internet Plus" strategy, which encourages applying Internet to any other industry, seems ambitious, the truth is that China has to rely more on Internet.
- Saudi Arabia announces 34-state anti-terror alliance
- Premier greets SCO leaders ahead of meeting
- Bus crashes in northern Argentina, killing 43 policemen
- California shooter messaged Facebook friends about support for jihad
- Obama says anti-IS fight continues to be difficult
- Washington's cherry trees bloom in heat wave
- Leaders pose for group photo at SCO meeting
- Washington's cherry trees bloom in heat wave
- Wuzhen ready for Internet conference
- Fairy tale tunnel of love in south China
- Beautiful moments of 2015 in China's great outdoors
- Student volunteers wear qipao for World Internet Conference
- China marks Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre victims
- Six major archaeological discoveries in 2015
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Shooting rampage at US social services agency leaves 14 dead
Chinese bargain hunters are changing the retail game
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
Islamic State claims responsibility for Paris attacks
Obama, Netanyahu at White House seek to mend US-Israel ties
China, not Canada, is top US trade partner
Tu first Chinese to win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Huntsman says Sino-US relationship needs common goals
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |