Xi slams 'double standards,' advocates shared future in cyberspace

"We should respect Internet users' rights to exchange their ideas and express their minds, and we should also build a good order in cyberspace in accordance with law as it will help protect the legitimate rights and interests of all Internet users."

Howard Goodison, part of a U.S. college students' delegation and in China for the first time, is awed by both the natural beauty and Internet infrastructure of Wuzhen.

As a junior student majoring in International Relations at George Washington University, he was most impressed by Xi's proposal for an Internet governance system to promoting equity and justice.

"Millions of dollars are lost a year due to cybercrime and as we benefit from the growth of the Internet, there should also be a sense of accountability," he said.

"As China is spearheading this with this conference, other powerhouses like the United States and UK will be able to enforce this sense of equity and justice. It's not any individual country's job but a collaborative work," Goodison added.

PROPOSALS FOR "SHARED FUTURE"

Cyberspace is for all mankind. Its future should be in the hands of all nations. Countries should step up communication, broaden consensus and deepen cooperation, the president said.

Xi put forward five proposals to build a community of shared future in cyberspace.

He called for efforts to speed up the building of global cyber infrastructure and promote connectivity.

"China stands ready to work with all parties concerned to come up with more investment and technical support to jointly advance the building of global cyber infrastructure and enable more developing countries and their people to share the development opportunities brought by the Internet," Xi said.

Valeriy M. Matsel, consul general of Belarus in Shanghai, shared similar views to Xi in terms of information infrastructure and connectivity.

Information infrastructure is the foundation for adjusting and updating the economic growth mode, he said.

Matsel expressed his hope that China could increase investment and cooperation with Belarus in this regard via the Belt and Road Initiative.

Noting that Chinese information communication companies such as ZTE already have branches in Belarus, he looked forward to cooperation with more Chinese Internet companies in the future.

While stressing the building of an online platform for cultural exchanges and mutual learning, Xi also highlighted development of a cyber economy for common prosperity.

"The robust growth of China's Internet has provided a big market for enterprises and business starters of all countries," Xi said.