2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit to open in November

The 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit will be held from Nov. 19 to 22 in the water-town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province, with artificial intelligence at the forefront of the agenda, according to a press conference held on Thursday.

Themed "Embracing a People-centered and artificial intelligence (AI)-for-good Digital Future - Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the 2024 summit will feature 24 sub-forums on topics such as the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, digital economy, and innovations and governance of AI technologies.

A special focus will be placed on AI, with sub-forums covering topics, including innovations and governance of AI technologies, AI empowering new quality productive forces, as well as the responsible development and application of AI. These discussions aim to foster global cooperation and consensus on strengthening AI governance.

"The conference will give out the 'WIC Outstanding Contribution Awards' to recognize individuals and companies who have made outstanding contributions in the global internet-related fields. Additionally, the summit will also see the establishment of a special committee on AI. As the first specialized and regular branch institution established after the WIC declared itself an international organization, the special committee will build an international platform for AI exchange and cooperation," said Ren Xianliang, secretary-general of the WIC.

The WIC, which has been organizing summits since 2014, has about 170 institutions, organizations, companies, and individuals from over 30 countries and regions across six continents as members.

2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit to open in November

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday warned that his country would respond harshly to any act of aggression, following a renewed threat of military action from U.S. President Donald Trump.

He made the statement on social media platform X following comments by Trump on Monday, who threatened Iran with a major military strike if it resumed its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran's response to any cruel aggression would be harsh and regret-inducing," Pezeshkian said.

Trump, speaking to reporters in Florida while welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Monday: "Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we're going to have to knock them down."

In response, Ali Shamkhani, a political advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and representative in the country's Defense Council, posted on X that Iran's missile and defense capabilities "are not containable or permission-based".

"Any aggression will face an immediate harsh response beyond its planners' imagination," he added.

Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated after a series of strikes in June. On June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on several locations in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. On June 22, U.S. forces bombed the Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

Iranian president warns of "harsh" response after Trump's threats