WIPO China: Embracing the Digital and Intelligent Maritime Silk Road

The 2025 WIC Digital Silk Road Development Forum officially opened on July 24 in Quanzhou, East China's Fujian province, the historic starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Mr. Li Shulei, Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended and addressed the Opening Ceremony. Mr. Zhuang Rongwen, Minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China and Chair of World Internet Conference (WIC), delivered a keynote speech. Mr. Zhou Zuyi, Secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, delivered a welcoming address. Ms. Wang Binying, Deputy Director General of WIPO, delivered a keynote speech at the Main Forum.

Wang Binying commended China’s efforts on and wisdom for jointly building the Digital Silk Road and sharing the benefits in the digital era, including the Internet. She stated that WIPO is also actively exploring the digital domain, especially for the SMEs and startups. WIPO provides services, tools and platforms to support innovators and entrepreneurs, and address global challenges, including training courses, international registration systems, IP Diagnostics Tool, WIPO Green, and Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs), among others. This Digital Silk Road Development Forum held in Quanzhou demonstrates a vision of shared progress. WIPO stands ready to work with member states and partners to bridge digital divides, foster open innovation, and ensure IP systems remain engines of economic growth and social development.

The participants stated that as a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation accelerates worldwide, the growing prominence of digitalization, networking and smartization underscores the strategic significance of developing the Digital Silk Road. We must adhere to the approach of win-win cooperation to jointly propel the innovative development of the digital economy. We must respect cyber sovereignty of all nations to jointly improve the global Internet governance system. We must embrace openness and inclusiveness to jointly facilitate exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Themed "Embracing the Digital and Intelligent Maritime Silk Road - Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace", the Forum was co-organized by the WIC and the People’s Government of Fujian Province, drawing more than 600 participants from 49 countries and 13 international organizations including high-level government officials, business leaders and renowned scholars. The Forum provided a high-level platform for cross-board dialogue, knowledge sharing, and practical cooperation.