Dear Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, Executive Director of MI,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

It’s my pleasure to attend this regional workshop on digital connectivity. I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. Suriyan and Mekong Institute for organizing this workshop. China is glad to sponsor this workshop for fruitful discussion and cooperation. 

SMEs are the driving force of national economic and social development which contribute to expanding employment, improving people's livelihood, and promoting innovation. Facing the new round of the technological and industrial revolution, counties around the world are exploring the way to grasp the pulse of the digital times, promote SMEs to accelerate digital transformation, and achieve sustainable, high-quality, and inclusive development.

We need to accelerate the construction of new digital infrastructure. As we all know, new infrastructure is the physical foundation for the full development of new technologies, new industries, and new models. We should improve the construction of information infrastructure and accelerate the application of 5G, IoT, artificial intelligence, and industrial Internet. Digital transformation of traditional infrastructure should be accelerated to promote deep integration of digital technology and the real economy, and solidify the foundation of the digital transformation of SMEs.

We need to strengthen government policy support and financial investment. Digital transformation of SMEs requires high cost in technological upgrading which may become barriers to digitalization. Governments should take SMEs' digital development into account in the overall national development plan and establish diversified and multi-channel financing mechanisms to provide SMEs with more practical and low-cost digital products and services, and help SMEs promote technological innovation and enhance competitiveness.

We need to pay attention to digital economy governance. Domestic laws on antimonopoly should be improved to regulate the digital development of enterprises in order to protect their legitimate rights and interests. We should establish data security regulation systems to improve network security capabilities and create a good development environment for the digital transformation of SMEs.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

China has achieved impressive progress in digital economy. In 2021, China's digital economy was estimated to account for more than 40% of its GDP. China has established the world's largest fiber optic network, 5G network, and 4G network, and successfully apply digital technology in COVID-19 control and prevention, poverty eradication, and social protection.

China actively participates in digital economy cooperation and rule-making process both globally and regionally. Through the Belt and Road Initiative and Digital Silk Road Initiative cooperation, China works closely with developing countries to develop their construction of information infrastructure to bridge the digital divide.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Last year, China and ASEAN celebrated the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations and decided to establish the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Over the past 30 years, China-ASEAN cooperation has achieved fruitful results and become a model of regional cooperation. The digital economy has now become one of the key area for our cooperation. The China-ASEAN Digital Economy Partnership has been established, and  platforms such as the China-ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting and the China-ASEAN Digital Economy Development Cooperation Forum have been put in place. These positive progress will further enhance the cooperation between China and ASEAN in big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G, and contribute to pandemic response, economic development, and people's livelihood.

We should strengthen mutual strategic trust, accelerate the development of the China-ASEAN Digital Economy Cooperation Action Plan and China-ASEAN Data Security Initiative, to build a Community of Shared Future of Peace and Prosperity among Lancang-Mekong Countries.

We should uphold multilateralism, and the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. We need to resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics. A few countries keep making groundless accusations against others in the name of "clean" network and take security concern as an excuse to prey on high-tech companies of other countries. They politicalize cyber security and technical issues, and practice digital protectionism. These actions should be alerted and rejected so as to create an open, fair, and non-discriminatory digital economy environment.

We should deepen practical cooperation in various fields such as communications, Internet, and satellite navigation, and give full play to various platforms including the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and Mekong Institute in promoting human resources exchange and training. Digital economy partnership should be established featuring in mutual trust, mutual benefit, inclusiveness, innovation and win-win cooperation.

Last year, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative. Aiming at accelerating the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the GDI has effectively rekindled the momentum on global development by refocusing on the development agenda, reconfirming commitment toward the SDGs, revitalizing global partnership, and reactivating international development cooperation. The digital economy is one of its priority areas. Aligned with the development needs of the Lancang-Mekong countries, the GDI will further strengthen regional consensus and enhance development cooperation. All countries, international organizations and stakeholders are welcome to join the initiative to jointly accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China is willing to work with ASEAN countries including the Lancang-Mekong countries in the spirit of "shared river, shared future" to strengthen digital connectivity cooperation, facilitate the development of SMEs, and promote regional digital transformation with a shared purpose of jointly achieving post-pandemic recovery, development, and prosperity in our subregion.

Thank you. And I wish the workshop a fruitful and successful one.