China Hosts 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit
Premier Li Qiang and international officials gather in Wuzhen to advocate for open-source AI and an inclusive global digital innovation ecosystem.
The 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit opened on November 3 in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, China, bringing together approximately 1,800 participants from 138 countries and regions. Running through November 5, the summit focuses on the theme of open source and collaborative development to build a shared future in cyberspace.
Li Qiang, Premier of China, delivered a keynote speech calling for an open and inclusive digital innovation ecosystem while explicitly opposing the creation of digital iron curtains. This sentiment was echoed by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who argued that internet technologies should enhance human capabilities rather than exacerbate global divisions.
The event features a record 27 sub-forums addressing AI agent interoperability, embodied intelligence, and green digital transitions. Central to the programming is the AI Wuzhen Dialogue, which highlights open-source models such as DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen. International representatives, including Spanish Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz Perez and UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, emphasized that AI must be accessible and serve human well-being.
Supporting activities include the Light of Internet Expo and the WIC Awards for Pioneering Science and Technology, which recognized 20 projects from 43 countries. An open-source ecosystem experience hall at the Wuzhen World Internet Science and Technology Museum also showcases China's national-level pilot base for AI application testing.
