Top official says ITU can help in digital Silk Road

Zhao Houlin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), speaks at a forum on the sideline of the Second World Internet Conference held in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province, on Dec 16, 2015. [Photo/people.cn]

Secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Zhao Houlin said Wednesday that ITU hopes to make use of its special advantage in cooperation with the "One Belt, One Road" Initiative, as well as other relevant projects.

At a forum on the sideline of the Second World Internet Conference held in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, Zhao said great importance should be attached to the digital divide that persists between developed and developing countries, including the regions on the Silk Road. And great efforts should be made to overcome the gap.

As among the developing countries, only 6.7 percent of households can access Internet, compared to the 46 percent global average. The number has reached to 80 percent in developed countries, Zhao added.

Zhao also said Internet poses new risks in modern society, as almost all of the advanced technologies are tied to the information and communication technology. To ensure the success of the digital Silk Road, we must rely on partnership between public and private sectors.

The 193 members states and over 700 sector members in the ITU could use the excising mechanism and experiences to help the digital Silk Road to forge better partnerships, Zhao said.