Yang Yuanqing, chief executive of Lenovo Group. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Internet development should move toward creating smart technologies that boost Internet of Things, connecting hardware devices with users, data and services, said Yang Yuanqing, chief executive of Lenovo Group, on Thursday.

A smart future entails smart connection, said Yang, pointing out that fancy hardware devices will not suffice in the new smart age which requires perfect connection between them and cloud-based services.

Internet of Things, together with the big data and cloud computing, are widely considered to be some of the major trends that will lead the development of Internet technologies.

China has witnessed a rapid development of its Internet industry over the past two decades. The Internet has profoundly affected almost every facet of Chinese people's lives, including communication, transportation, and entertainment.

As of July 2015, the number of Internet users had reached 668 million, the most in the world, according to official figures. All cities and towns, and 93.5 percent of administrative villages in China now have access to the Internet.

The second World Internet Conference that is taking place in the picturesque water town of Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, during Dec 16-18, 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.

Guests at 10 forums will exchange views on a wide range of topics such as Internet culture communication, Internet innovation and development, digital economic cooperation, cybersecurity, Internet plus, cyberspace governance and the digital Silk Road.