Internet to help development of small nations: Tonga deputy PM

Tonga's deputy Prime minister Siaosi Sovaleni speaks at the Second World Internet Conference on Dec 18, 2015. [Photo/china.org.cn]

Tonga's deputy prime minister said Friday the Second World Internet Conference will enable more small countries to benefit from the world's green development and inclusive growth.

Siaosi Sovaleni, who is also the South Pacific island nation's Minister of Information, Climate Change and Communications, made the comments in an address at the closing ceremony of the conference on Friday.

The Second World Internet Conference, the most high-profile Internet related event in China, was held in the picturesque water town of Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, Dec 16 to 18.

Tonga is located in the very heart of the South Pacific lying east of Fiji and south of Samoa. It is one of the most scenic and unspoiled of the Pacific island nations.

Sovaleni said so many business leaders and thinkers at the conference have shared their ideas of promoting green development and inclusive growth through Internet.

He believes their experiences could inspire small nations like his to cope with their development challenges with the help of modern technology.

The Internet conference, with a goal of "building a cyberspace community of shared destiny", has gathered together more than 2,000 participants, including state leaders, government officials, business leaders, Internet titans, and experts from more than 120 countries and regions.

The guests at 10 forums exchanged views on a wide range of topics such as Internet culture communication, Internet innovation, cyber security and cyberspace governance.

Sovaleni said he hoped events like the World Internet Conference would be held in small nations as well in the future to drive their Internet development.