From July 7 to 11, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) hosted a series of events in Geneva, Switzerland, including the High-level Event for the 20-Year Review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) and the AI for Good Global Summit. Shan Zhongde, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, attended relevant events and delivered keynote speeches.At the ministerial roundtable of the ITU WSIS+20 High-level Event, Shan Zhongde stated that China has earnestly implemented the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and achieved fruitful progress in advancing universal and meaningful connectivity, promoting technological innovation, and facilitating green and low-carbon development. The global digital wave brings new opportunities and challenges to building the information society. China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the ITU and its Member States to jointly build an inclusive, open, shared and eco-friendly information society, and embrace a more prosperous and sustainable digital era.

At the governance dialogue during the main forum of AI Governance Day at the AI for Good Global Summit, Shan Zhongde shared China’s policy practices of advancing the industrialization of intelligence and the intelligent transformation of industries amid the drive for new industrialization. He briefed participants on the progress of AI open innovation in China, and proposed fostering an innovation ecosystem featuring efficient coordination, inclusiveness and mutual trust, openness and cooperation, as well as inclusive development.He noted that guided by the Global AI Governance Initiative, China upholds a people-centered approach and advocates AI for good. The country strives to strengthen AI technological innovation, empower industrial applications, and advance sustainable economic and social development. Faced with the complex landscape of AI development and governance, China will balance development and security, follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and stay committed to openness and cooperation. It will advance the safe, reliable and controllable development of AI, leverage standards and norms to steer AI toward beneficial development, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

To mark the 160th anniversary of the founding of ITU, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and ITU co-hosted a high-level seminar themed Deepening Digital Innovation Cooperation, Forging a Bright Digital Future Together.Shan Zhongde remarked that China will continue contributing to global digital connectivity and digital transformation through its own development. It will work with all countries to support ITU in fulfilling its mandate, jointly advance digital innovation and application, accelerate the digital and green transformation of traditional industries, enhance global cyber resilience, bridge the digital divide, and write a new chapter of connecting the world and empowering the future.

During his stay in Switzerland, Shan Zhongde also attended the AI for Good Outstanding Cases Launch Ceremony, the Special Seminar on Brain-Computer Interface, and the Global Technology Innovation (GTI) Forum. He held meetings with ITU senior officials and delegations of relevant countries to exchange views on digital cooperation. Officials from relevant departments and affiliated institutions of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology participated in the above events.