The World Internet Conference (WIC) hosted the Think Tank Cooperation Program Symposium in Beijing on Dec 20, with over 40 representatives attending both online and offline. The event aimed to further deepen collaboration on critical global digital issues, such as internet governance, technological innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. It provided a platform for experts, academics, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and discuss the 2025 work plan for the Think Tank Cooperation Program, which was officially launched at the 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit.

An official from the WIC introduced the Think Tank Cooperation Program's positioning and outlined the work plan for 2025. The program seeks to build a practical platform for cooperation and exchanges by organizing activities such as think tank exchanges, joint research, and the publication of research outcomes, according to the official, adding that it aims to fully leverage think tanks' roles in proposing recommendations and promoting industrial development.

Experts and scholars from universities and research institutes, including the Macao Association for Internet Research, Institute of Internet Governance and Law Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Institute of International Studies Fudan University, Institute of International Development and Security Studies Jiangsu University, Institute of Chinese Path to Modernization Nankai University, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, Institute of Cyberspace Governance Wuhan University, Wuzhen Institute of Digital Civilization, Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies Renmin University of China, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, and China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, as well as representatives from corporate think tanks like Alibaba Cloud Technology Research Center, DBAPPsecurity Data Shield Intelligent Research Center, Nokia Bell Labs, Center for Better Life, BEKE, Lenovo Research, Qax Hufu Think Tank, WebRat Tech Beacon Tower Lab, Sohu Think Tank, Tencent Research Institute, Sina Think Tank, Yinxiang Biji Research Institute, China Telecom Research Institute Tianyi Think Tank, China Unicom Research Institute, and China Mobile Research Institute China Mobile Intelligence, gave presentations on their key areas of focus and research outcomes. They provided suggestions on the organization of activities and the publication of results, key research directions, and the 2025 work plan of the program.

Discussions during the symposium centered on topics such as the transformative role of AI, the evolution of the digital economy, the growing importance of cybersecurity, and strategies for advancing global cyberspace governance. Speakers emphasized the urgency of addressing these challenges through coordinated efforts and innovative approaches, so as to foster trust, inclusivity, and shared prosperity.

Think tank representatives recognized the necessity of the WIC launching the Think Tank Cooperation Program. They suggested making full use of the WIC's advantages as an international platform for cooperation to gather resources from research institutes, enterprises, associations, universities, and media to organize discussions on specific topics. They also proposed establishing a regular mechanism for sharing results, conducting joint research, and promoting international exchanges and cooperation.

The Think Tank Cooperation Program reflects the WIC's broader mission to drive meaningful global collaboration in the digital field. It brings together 60 think tanks from Europe and Asia, representing a range of expertise in fields such as AI, big data, telecommunications, and cloud computing. The program aims to provide valuable insights and solutions for global digital governance by facilitating dialogue on technological innovation, industrial development and cybersecurity.

The seminar reaffirmed the WIC's leading role in building a cooperative, inclusive, and forward-looking cyberspace to meet the needs of an increasingly interconnected world.