Digital development can benefit the world

China has proposed a new way to promote the right to digital development through technological development. For capacity building, China puts emphasis on technological empowerment rather than output. It believes that even the digitally least-developed countries should enjoy the right to equitable digital development.

For instance, at the meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2021, President Xi Jinping announced that China will help African countries in implementing 10 digital economy projects, build a China-Africa satellite remote sensing application cooperation center, and support the construction of China-Africa joint research institutes, and innovation-oriented scientific and technological cooperation centers.

The Chinese government and digital technology companies have been working together to ensure all the countries enjoy the right to digital development, promote the concept of inclusive digital society, and bring digital dividends to all.

Chinese high-tech companies are using digital technology to promote digital education, build a digital environment, and develop digital healthcare systems. Huawei alone has helped 18 countries and 22 nature reserves to improve resource management and biodiversity conservation, and promote digital education in many countries.

Thanks to such efforts, many developing countries can avail of quality healthcare, education and environmental resources, and have already made outstanding contributions to promoting the right to digital development.

Wang Xigen, dean of the Law School of Huazhong University of Science and Technology; and Duan Yun, a PhD candidate at the Law School of Huazhong University of Science and Technology