BEIJING - A senior information technology official on Tuesday said China hopes to boost Internet-related cooperation with other emerging countries and contribute to "global Internet prosperity."

Wang Chen, head of the State Internet Information Office, made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the 2012 Internet Roundtable for Emerging Countries.

Enhanced international cooperation is urgently needed to cope with increasingly severe challenges regarding Internet security, according to Wang.

"Emerging countries have a lot of common understanding, similar conduct and appeals regarding the development of the Internet, as well as common interests and a sound basis for cooperation," he said.

Wang described the roundtable as a new platform for emerging countries to conduct exchanges and share experience regarding the development of the Internet.

The event was attended by government officials, Internet experts and corporate representatives from China, Russia, Brazil and South Africa.

The online sector has witnessed rapid development since the country gained access to the Internet in 1994.

The number of Chinese Internet users reached 538 million by the end of June this year, the most users of any country in the world.

Over the past 18 years, China has been striving to tap the potential of the Internet as a new medium for the dissemination of information, as well as for the expression of reasonable and constructive ideas, Wang said.