Photo: Courtesy of the Service Center for Societies of CAST

The World Digital Economy Forum, one of the parallel sessions of the Fifth World Science and Technology Development Forum kicked off in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province on Saturday, highlighting China's role in developing global digital economy.
As a major player in the development of the global digital economy, Chian takes the lead in this field and drives its worldwide growth, Chairman of the World Digital Economy Forum and Executive Director of the World Economic Forum Board of Directors Zhu Min told the Global Times on the sidelines of the forum. The theme of this year's forum is "Digital Economy: the driving force of the world's sustainable economic development."

"Firstly, the Chinese government plays a significant role as an advocate, investor and consumer in the digital economy. Secondly, we possess top-tier digital content production companies, fostering a robust ecosystem. Thirdly, our platforms excel in extending digital economic dimensions, effectively disseminating technology across various societal sectors. Lastly, and most importantly, the range of application scenarios is vast. China boasts one of the world's largest consumer markets, the biggest manufacturing sector, and the leading export market, all of which provide extensive application scenarios," Zhu noted.

With the aim to gather the world's top intellectual resources in the digital economy, the World Digital Economy Forum serves as a platform for global digital economy cooperation, and strives to create an annual event with global influence. The forum advocates for a development concept of cooperation and mutual benefit, promotes the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), ensures that everyone shares in the benefits of the digital economy, and works together to create a bright future of global development and mutual benefits, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of human society, forum organizers told the Global Times.

According to Wang Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Shenzhen Municipal Committee and head of the city's United Front Work Department, Shenzhen possesses a strong foundation in the digital industry, with its electronic information manufacturing and software industries leading nationally. The digital economy accounts for more than 30 percent of the region's gross domestic product.

Efforts are being made to build Shenzhen into a key source of national digital economy and testing ground for national digital economy application scenarios, and benchmark city for new-type information infrastructure and global digital pioneer city, Wang told the Global Times on Saturday.

Peter Major, a vice chairman of the UN Committee for Science and Technology for Development, underscored the event's significance when addressing the Saturday event.

He emphasized the pivotal role of digital economy and generative technologies in achieving the UNSDGs.

He outlined the diverse impacts of the digital economy, including poverty reduction, financial inclusivity, market access, agricultural innovation, industrial efficiency, and societal well-being. Major also pointed out the potential of remote diagnostics in healthcare, quality education access through digital platforms, and addressing gender equality through economic empowerment.

The digital economy, according to Major, is essential for economic growth and job creation, offering opportunities for remote work and industry innovation. He stressed the need to bridge the digital divide to promote inclusive economic growth, enhance energy utilization, create sustainable urban communities and improve supply chain efficiency through digital tools. These tools also play a crucial role in climate change mitigation and pollution monitoring.

He called for international collaboration across different countries and industries to promote the UNSDGs, advocating for inclusive digital economy development.

The UN official expressed confidence in exploring digital economy methods to drive sustainable development and contribute to the 2030 UNSDG targets.

This edition of the forum is co-organized by the Service Center for Societies of CAST, the China Institute of Communications and the Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology.