Wang Qinmin, director of the National E-government Expert Committee of China, delivers a speech at the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 20, 2019. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

In an effort to deepen global cooperation in building a smart society, as well as tackling rising threats hindering the security of cyberspace, ministers and officials from around the world gathered in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang Province Sunday, to discuss the future of intelligent connectivity and cooperation.

During the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference, at an event hosted by People’s Daily, jointly organized by People's Daily Online, China Internet Development Foundation and China Telecom, Wang Qinmin, director of the National E-government Expert Committee of China, said that the essence of building a smart society is to improve the people’s livelihood, while advanced information and smart technologies should be used to tackle social problems including targeted poverty alleviation, medical care, social security and more.

Zhuang Rongwen, minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China, delivers a speech at the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 20, 2019. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

Zhuang Rongwen, minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China, noted that the establishment of a smart society is crucial for human's common welfare and the future development of the entire world, and furthermore that China is willing to cooperate with all countries around the globe to promote the construction of a smart society.

Echoing Zhuang, Li Baoshan, president of People's Daily, stressed the importance of international cooperation in building a smart society.

Li Baoshan, president of People's Daily, delivers a speech at the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 20, 2019. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

“The construction of a smart society requires deepened international cooperation in cyber space, as well as joint efforts in building a cyberspace for a shared future. Thus, we need to promote openness as well as cooperation and provide a comprehensive legislative foundation for the development of cyberspace, and focus on humanity,” said Li.

Rashid Alimov, former Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, delivers a speech at the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 20, 2019. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

Rashid Alimov, former Secretary-General of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, told People's Daily Online that an improved form of cyberspace requires a set of universal regulations.

“There is an urgent need for us to develop universal rules, principles and norms to regulate actions and behaviours in cyberspace, as well as promotion of the rapid development of internet technologies,” said Alimov.

Ali Salih, minister of State for Communication, Science and Technology of the Maldives, delivers a speech at the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 20, 2019. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

Ali Salih, minister of State for Communication, Science and Technology of the Maldives, told People’s Daily Online that public policy is essential to ensure realization of the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution.

“I firmly believe that there is an urgent need for a policy as well as regulatory environment which celebrates digital advancement and does nothing to penalize innovation,” he said.

Foreign officials and ministers also discussed cyber cooperation with their Chinese counterparts, adding that though competition exists in technological innovation, cooperation is also needed to promote the development of a smart society.

Bruce McConnell, executive vice president of the US-based East-West Institute, delivers a speech at the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 20, 2019. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

“The digital domain, with its potential to bring us together and to bring out the greatest possibilities of the human spirit, is an area where we must learn to cooperate. Though America remains the dominant digital power, China is rapidly rising in the digital sphere…We see these two great revolutionary powers coming closer together in the ways they understand the digital domain,” said Bruce McConnell, executive vice president of the US-based East-West Institute.

“We must learn together how to build a community of common destiny for mankind, a smart society that has characteristics of the East and West as well as the North and the South, that is why we are all here in Wuzhen today,” added McConnell.

Ryan Vincent Uy, assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office of the Philippines, delivers a speech at the Ministerial Forum of The Sixth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, October 20, 2019. (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

“The Philippines still has our fair share of catching up to do compared to our counterparts from countries like China, America and Japan, but we will continue to do more, and I believe we will do our fair share as part of the global community,” said Ryan Vincent Uy, assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office of the Philippines.

Kicking off on October 20, the 6th World Internet Conference will last three days, including several themed panels and business events.