Voice
Online and onward?
  ·  2022-09-13  ·   Source: NO.37 SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
A metaverse exhibition during the 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services at Shougang Park in Beijing on September 1 (XINHUA)

Digital technology was a highlight of the 2022 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing from August 31 to September 5. On the sidelines of the expo, attendees from all over the world voiced their opinions on the digital economy's global development at a forum hosted by the Center for China and Globalization on September 2. Edited excerpts of their views follow: 

Siddharth Chatterjee 

UN Resident Coordinator in China 

Siddharth Chatterjee

The world economy is transforming in large part due to the rapid evolution and growing adoption of information and communications technologies. Although the pace of digital transformation varies, all countries are being affected.

Digital technologies are a powerful enabler of development, allowing countries to accelerate economic growth and link citizens to services and jobs. In times of crisis, from natural disasters to epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, digital technologies boost our resilience by keeping people, governments and businesses connected and empowered.

Access to technology, however, is far from equal around the world. Widening digital divides threaten to leave developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs), even further behind.

While 93 percent of the people across the globe live within physical reach of mobile broadband or Internet services, only 53.6 percent of the world's population now use the Internet, leaving an estimated 3.6 billion people without access. The LDCs rank last, with only 19 percent of their populations using the Internet.

It is paramount that we foster digital inclusion, work to close digital divides, and ensure that data-driven digitalization can create global opportunities while we mitigate potential consequences.

Urgent action is needed to ensure emerging technologies are made a global public good, equally accessible to all geographical regions and every section of society.

Misinformation, cybercrime, the spread of violent extremism and terrorism, and online abuse and harassment—particularly targeting women and children—must also be addressed to reaffirm the centrality of human rights and the individual in the digital era. This requires greater engagement from all countries.

China, as the world's second largest economy, leads the world in many applications of digital technologies. But there's also the global duty to harness technology responsibly. This specific moment in time calls for the new and improved governance of the digital space, nationally and internationally, and based on relevant international norms and standards.

Zhou Yanli 

Former Vice Chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission 

Zhou Yanli

As new technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and artificial intelligence (AI), emerge across the globe, the digital economy has rapidly developed.

To give full play to the digital economy in terms of innovating products and creating markets, it is important to lift trade barriers and formulate high-level international rules. Cooperation will help countries seize opportunities in the digital economy and address challenges in privacy protection, data security and public supervision.

Many countries have recognized the importance of the digital economy, and initiated or participated in international rule-making initiatives in the sector.

More than 80 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have participated in e-commerce plurilateral negotiations. Some countries have signed digital economy agreements like the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) between Chile, New Zealand and Singapore.

China is keen to participate in global cooperation on the digital economy. Joining the DEPA will help improve China's digital governance and further open up its market.

China has introduced laws and regulations on the digital economy, while also rolling out policies for its sound development. It is expected to become more active in global cooperation to boost the global digital economy.

Clare Fearnley 

New Zealand's Ambassador to China 

Clare Fearnley

New Zealand has promoted the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises through implementing the Digital Enablement Program. The World Bank and others have identified New Zealand as one of the easiest economies in which to do business, and growing digital services and accessibility are an important part of this. New Zealand aims to develop "the most digitally engaged small business sector in the world." 

The DEPA provides a platform for New Zealand and other members to strengthen cooperation on various economic issues. Now that the pact has entered into force, the Republic of Korea, China and Canada are also hoping to join it. We welcome the interest of other economies. The DEPA allows us to test ideas, learn from each other, and promote our businesses across a range of issues, including trading, data protection and digital inclusion.

More broadly, New Zealand supports the widespread adoption of modern digital trade rules through regional and multilateral agreements—including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and WTO e-commerce discussions. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum also plays an important role in working through issues in an effort to reach a regional consensus on digital matters.

At the bilateral level, China and New Zealand have upgraded their free trade agreement to include an e-commerce chapter for the first time, with new commitments addressing consumer protection and paperless trading. I am optimistic that after the pandemic passes, global trade in services will surpass pre-pandemic levels.

A good regulatory approach matters to the international service industry. New Zealand and China have been sharing information on improving the regulatory environment for several years now, and are working to improve the regulatory environment—and with that, the business environment.

New Zealand will further work with China to promote good regulation in the service sector, and will continue to engage with China to share experiences in this area.

William Shuai 

General Manager of Public Affairs, LinkedIn China 

William Shuai

In China, professionals in the digital sector still mainly work on telecommunication and digital technologies, while their counterparts in European countries and the United States are more evenly distributed across various industries, including many traditional ones. That showcases the full-fledged digital transformation in those countries.

In China's manufacturing hubs like Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces, digital professionals are shifting from hardware sectors to traditional fields at an accelerating pace. For traditional industries, future opportunities lie in the introduction of professionals in digitalization and digital transformation.

China will see the gap of professionals in the digital economy total around 11 million in the next few years. By 2025, the gap in the IoT will reach 16 million and that in AI will total 5 million. To address the shortages, the authorities will need to improve targeted training for professionals in both theoretical research and the launching of technologies in real scenarios.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

Comments to lixiaoyang@cicgamericas.com 

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