China’s state-run World Internet Conference sees ‘quietest’ year ever amid coronavirus pandemic
- Just over 130 companies take part in this year’s World Internet Conference, compared to more than 600 last year
- Coronavirus pandemic takes centre stage, with speakers praising China’s success in controlling the spread of the virus
China’s biggest annual internet conference saw its quietest year ever, according to some attendees, as the coronavirus pandemic stymied global participation and dominated the discussion at the event.
The 7th World Internet Conference (WIC), also known as the Wuzhen Summit after the northern town in Zhejiang province where it takes place, kicked off on Monday.
Several guests at the summit told the Post that this was the “quietest” Wuzhen Summit they had ever experienced. Just over 130 companies took part in the event this year, compared to more than 600 last year.
“The number of attendees is the fewest [that I have seen],” one industry expert, who said this was the fifth time he was attending the WIC, told the Post. “Many foreign guests are unable to come due to the pandemic,” added the expert, who declined to be named.