Christopher Bovis, professor of European and International Business Law at University of Hull Business School in the UK

President Xi Jinping's speech at the World Internet Conference reaffirmed China's priorities for the transition to the second speed framework of economic growth and the embrace of modern technologies as a driver for the future economic growth of China. The Internet and information and communications technology (ICT) will play a major role in transitioning the old and traditional economy in China into a modern base of growth.

The World Internet Conference is important in its objective to bring the themes for regulation of the Internet and the application of ICTs in contemporary markets and sectors. As such, the Conference represents a forum where Chinese policy makers could gauge the requirements for transnational regulation and control of the Internet and all aspects arising in the respective application of ICTs into individual sectors.

It is also important for being the platform to establish common themes emanating from the Internet such as data protection, encryption and data ownership, social media, freedom of information, communications surveillance, national security and combating crime, cyber crime and terrorism.