New Year message from Chair of the World Internet Conference

As we fast approach the turn of the year, on behalf of the World Internet Conference (WIC), I would heartily like to extend my sincere New Year greetings to the members of the council, as well as to all our partners and friends from all around the world. I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all those who have long supported the development of the WIC.

The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the vision of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace. This vision, put forward in response to the profound changes that are being brought about by the information revolution, has gained broad recognition and support from the international community. 

Over the past decade, it has evolved from being just a conceptual proposal into concrete actions and practical outcomes, contributing positively to the prosperity and development of the global digital ecosystem.

Over the past year, guided by this vision, the WIC focused on key issues in cyberspace governance, strengthened its role as an international organization, promoted dialogue-based consultation and advanced cooperation-oriented outcomes, achieving steady progress and tangible results across a raft of areas.

The WIC continued to expand its global engagement through a diverse range of high-level events, including the Wuzhen Summit, the Asia-Pacific Summit, the Digital Silk Road Development Forum and the Cultural Heritage Digitalization Forum. 

Activities were also held in countries and regions such as Spain, Norway, Belgium and Switzerland, producing positive outcomes and further enhancing international exchanges and cooperation in cyberspace.

At the same time, the WIC strengthened its partnership network. Its global membership expanded to include participants from 45 countries and regions, with broader participation across sectors. Through awards, competitions, exhibitions and a growing multilingual, cross-platform communications network, the WIC highlighted innovation, cultural diversity and shared practices in internet development. The WIC also continued to provide public international services. Specialized Committee on E-Commerce and on Cultural Heritage Digitalization were established and put into operation, while the Specialized Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Data Working Group and the Think Tank Cooperation Program functioned efficiently. 

What's more, research reports on frontier issues were released and practical cases reflecting the latest developments were compiled. Meanwhile, the WIC Digital Academy and the Global Youth Leadership Program supported the cultivation of digital talent worldwide, contributing real insight and expertise to global internet development and governance.

As the digital and intelligent transformation continues to reshape societies, the destinies of people in cyberspace are increasingly becoming interconnected. 

In the year ahead, the WIC will continue to leverage its strengths as an international organization, remain true to its founding mission, shoulder its international responsibilities and further deepen exchanges and cooperation in cyberspace, so as to contribute to the development of a peaceful, secure, open, cooperative and orderly cyberspace.

Let us move forward together, seize the opportunities of the digital age, work jointly to advance the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace to a higher level, and ensure that the benefits of internet development are shared more widely by people around the world.

I want to wish you all a happy New Year!

Zhuang Rongwen,

Dec 31, 2025