Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday called for a more people-centered approach to internet development amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI).
Li made the remarks in a keynote speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province.
Highlighting that the World Internet Conference has been held for 13 consecutive years, Li stressed that despite rapid technological advances, one major question of common concern remains unchanged, which is how to make the internet better serve humanity.
Li said the internet is undergoing an intelligent transformation and a systemic leap forward as it increasingly integrates with AI and other technologies.
Stressing the need to place greater emphasis on a people-centered approach to internet development in today's world, Li said the ultimate purpose must be to promote all-round development of people. He emphasized that internet-related technologies should enhance human capabilities, expand their choices, affirm human value and improve people's well-being, rather than make humans subordinate to technology or exacerbate disparities in human development.
Calling for joint efforts to build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, Li said China will continue to pursue innovation through openness, promote technology transfer and knowledge sharing, and work with other countries to foster an open, inclusive and dynamic digital innovation ecosystem.
On digital security, Li said China will respect the legitimate cybersecurity concerns of all other countries and work together with them to address security challenges, while opposing the creation of a "digital iron curtain".
Li also pledged that China will actively implement the Global Development Initiative and support Global South countries in building digital infrastructure and enhancing their digital technology capabilities.
The premier also called for upholding open dialog, improving the multilateral governance system, and advancing global internet governance toward a more just and reasonable direction.
Yolanda Diaz, second vice-president and minister for labor and social economy of the government of Spain, was among the international guests who attended the ceremony and delivered speeches.
About 1,800 participants, including government officials, representatives of international organizations such as the United Nations and global internet companies, as well as experts and scholars, attended the opening ceremony.
Following the opening ceremony, Li visited the Light of Internet Expo, a key part of the World Internet Conference, and the Wuzhen World Internet Science and Technology Museum.
Chinese premier calls for people-centered internet development amid AI advances
Chinese premier calls for people-centered internet development amid AI advances
As Japan on Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of the promulgation of its pacifist Constitution, more than 10,000 Japanese citizens gathered in front of the National Diet building in Tokyo to protest moves by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government to revise the Constitution and expand military capabilities.
The Takaichi administration has recently made a series of moves concerning nuclear policy. After Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi repeatedly said that "no options are ruled out" in discussions about introducing nuclear-powered submarines, Takaichi told parliament this month that the government would seriously consider the possibility of the Self-Defense Forces acquiring such submarines in a "concrete and realistic manner."
"I believe that under the protection of the pacifist Constitution, Japan was not dragged into other countries' wars, and in some respects, the country was truly protected by the Constitution. But now some people want to abandon these restrictions, and Japan is moving step by step towards launching wars. In my view, relevant people are single-mindedly bent on starting a war, and they even incited the Japanese public hostility towards other countries. What kind of politicians would want to push for wars? That is why I come here to protest," said a protester.
Japanese media have reported that the government may revise the wording concerning the Three Non-Nuclear Principles when it updates the country's three key security documents by the end of this year.
"Japan today is heading to wars. I'm trying to do my part in stopping this trend. In particular, some people are trying to abandon the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. This is utterly absurd," said another protester.
"Military moves or wars cannot protect us. Wars are killing people. In the end, the only right path is diplomacy, through talking, communicating, and working hard, so as to find where we can resonate with each other. Revision of the Constitution absolutely must not be allowed, especially the kind of revision that attempts to turn Japan into a war-wielding country. It must not be allowed," said a protester.
Some at the rally said the Takaichi government's continued push for militarization has heightened tensions with neighboring countries.
"Japan's military budget is rising sharply. To maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries, Japan must not revise its Constitution, and the dangerous military buildup must not be allowed to go on," said another protester.
"I oppose the malicious revision of the Constitution, because I do not want Japan to become a country that launches wars again. Whether in military or economic terms, the Takaichi administration is showing extremely dangerous tendencies. The Takaichi administration is sparing no effort in trying to revise the Constitution, and this cannot be allowed to happen. We want to express our opposition by joining rallies like this," said a protester.
Over 10,000 Japanese citizens mark Constitution promulgation anniversary, rally against revision
