The World Internet Conference (WIC) Zhejiang Office was officially unveiled on Thursday in Wuzhen, Tongxiang city, East China’s Zhejiang province. It’s the first representative agency set up by WIC.

In a speech at the office’s inauguration, Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the WIC, said that he expected the office to play a more active role in further promoting the development of the WIC and to function as a bridge for the high-quality development of Zhejiang and local industries.

Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the World Internet Conference (left), and Lu Shan, vice governor of Zhejiang province, attend the ceremony to inaugurate the World Internet Conference Zhejiang Office in Wuzhen, Tongxiang city, East China’s Zhejiang province, on June 15, 2023. [Photo/wicinternet.org]

“The WIC, which originated in China, belongs to the world and is a common platform for global cyberspace. The evolvement of the WIC from a conference to an international organization signifies a qualitative leap,” Ren said. “The establishment of the Zhejiang Office ushers in a new chapter of the organization.”

Established in July last year as an international organization, the WIC is headquartered in Beijing, with the aim of serving as a global platform, working with the world to solve major issues and challenges, and building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

The members of the WIC include international organizations, leading global internet companies, industry associations and research institutes, among others.

Since 2014, the annual World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit has been held for nine consecutive years in Wuzhen, which is the summit’s permanent site and a picturesque ancient water town in Zhejiang province.

“The WIC has witnessed the rapid rise of China’s internet industry,” said Lu Shan, vice governor of Zhejiang province. “It has also witnessed the rapid development of Zhejiang’s digital economy.”

As the WIC Wuzhen Summit enters into its 10th year, the newly inaugurated Zhejiang Office will make more contributions to the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace, Lu said.

Official statistics show that China’s digital economy grew to 50.2 trillion yuan ($7.01 trillion) in 2022, ranking second in the world and accounting for 41.5 percent of its GDP. Home to China’s leading e-commerce and internet companies such as Alibaba, Zhejiang saw its digital economy increase by 12 percent in 2022, reaching 4 trillion yuan.

Last year, the WIC Wuzhen Summit drew a record 2,100 guests, online and on site, from over 120 countries and regions. The 2023 summit is expected to be held in the fall.