Hangzhou summit highlights digital Belt and Road

The 2019 Belt and Road Digitization International Summit convened in Xiaoshan district of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province on May 18.

Industry experts and leaders from home and abroad gathered to discuss the digitalization of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), focusing on the international landscape, industry opportunities, intelligent manufacturing, and data governance.

Mao Guanglie, director of the Zhejiang intelligent manufacturing expert committee, said that the summit highlights the significant role of digitalization in the BRI and aims to more deeply connect everyone involved.

"A host of possibilities have been opened up along with the information revolution and digital economy despite different developmental conditions. Dialogues should be held based on mutual trust so that these possibilities can be fully explored and taken advantage of,"said Mao.

A report on the top 10 Chinese cities with the most potential to benefit from the digitalization of the Belt and Road Initiative was released by ChinaInfo 100, a leading independent platform focusing on public policies to guide innovation in the information era. Hangzhou ranked fifth on the list, following Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

A cooperation agreement between ChinaInfo 100 and Xiaoshan district was also signed at the forum to push forward the development of digital economy in Xiaoshan.

Wang Min, head of Xiaoshan district, said that Xiaoshan will stick to the national innovation strategy and strive to become a center for digital economy. He also expressed hopes that more enterprises and talents will invest and start businesses in the district.