China calls for stronger Asia-Europe digital connectivity

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang addresses the opening ceremony of Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) High-Level Forum on Digital Connectivity in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China’s Shandong Province, June 19, 2017.(Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

QINGDAO, June 19 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang Monday called for closer Asia-Europe cooperation in boosting digital connectivity and information flows.

Wang made the remarks while addressing the opening of a forum on Asia-Europe digital connectivity, in Qingdao, a coastal city in eastern China.

Wang said the forum is part of an important consensus reached at last year’s Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit. He said it is of great significance in boosting Asia-Europe digital economic development and tapping the potential for innovative growth.

He said China would make joint efforts with ASEM members to help build information infrastructure, enable countries to develop digital economies, and bridge the digital divide.

Wang proposed enhancing cooperation in customs, logistics, electronic payments and electronic certification, paperless trading and cross-border e-commerce, and the integrated development of digital economy and traditional industries.

“China will expand opening-up in areas such as telecommunication and the Internet in an active and prudent manner, and deepen digital industry cooperation with other countries,” he said. “China is committed to improving transparency and security of digital economic activities, to maintain fair and just market order and better protect legitimate interests of enterprises and users.”

More than 600 people from ASEM countries and international organizations attended the forum.

Mr. Li Zhonghang, SRCIC Secretary General, and Mr. Wang Yan, SRCIC Deputy Secretary General, attended the forum and discussed with other participants on co-building eSilkRoad, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and promoting connectivity in the Silk Road regions.

Mr. Wang Yan, Mr. Luigi Gambardella, and Mr. Li Zhonghang (from left to right)

Mr. Li had a meeting with Luigi Gambardella, Co-founder and President of ChinaEU Association for Digital. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative in the EU countries and the pragmatic cooperation between SRCIC and ChinaEU.

Mr. Li Zhonghang, Mr. Emmanuel Stantzos, and Mr. Philipp Agathonos ( left to right)

Mr. Li also had a friendly talk with Emmanuel Stantzos, Minister for Economic and Commercial Affairs of Greek Embassy to China and Philipp Agathonos, Minister Plenipotentiary for Science and Technology of Austrian Embassy to China and Director of Office of Science and Technology of Austria.

Source: Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce