The Second China-UK Internet Roundtable, co-sponsored by China's State Council Information Office and the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), opened in Beijing on July 22. With a theme of "Facing challenges, Sharing opportunities," more than 110 representatives from both Chinese and British governmental departments, academic institutions, Internet industry guilds and Internet enterprises attended the conference.

        Cai Mingzhao, the State Council Information Office's Deputy Director, delivers a speech at the conference.

Several officials took part in the opening ceremony, including the State Council Information Office's Deputy Director Cai Mingzhao, UK Trade and Investment Minister Lord Mervyn Davies, the Internet Society of China President Hu Qiheng and British ambassador to China Sir William Ehrman.

In his speech, Mr. Cai pointed out that China has achieved a considerable amount when it comes to developing the Internet, and the World Wide Web is playing an increasingly important role in the country's social life. In addition to the convenience that the Internet has brought to people, it has also caused some new problems and challenges. Specifically, there is detrimental information like pornography, safety threats such as hackers and viruses, and online crimes directly threatening public security, such as fraud and theft.

Cai stressed that the Internet has become a vital component of each country's infrastructure, and network security is therefore an integral part of national security. As the Internet is being advanced nationwide, practical and effective measures need to be adopted to secure its operation and guarantee a safe flow of information.

Cai proposed four points to strengthen the network security. First, improve the public's awareness. Young people are vulnerable Internet users and harmful information will exert a negative influence on their growth; knowledge of network security should be universalized to improve their self-protection capacity. Second, perfect the legislation on network security. As the Internet penetrates deeper into daily life, it is no longer a "virtual community" that is far beyond reality, but it has become a significant part of the real world. It is therefore urgent to reinforce the management of the Internet by law. Third, promote self-discipline within the Internet industry. Internet businesses should consciously shoulder their social responsibilities, stick to lawful operation, accept the surveillance from the public, and maintain their interests. Fourth, broaden cooperation with other countries. China should seek more channels for international cooperation, and establish a multi-layered cooperative mechanism at government, industry and enterprise levels.

Huang Youyi, vice president of China International Publishing Group, at the conference.

UK Trade and Investment Minister Lord Mervyn Davies also gave a speech, remarking on how the world has witnessed the achievement of China's Internet. He also spoke of the huge business opportunities in the United Kingdom's Internet market. The Internet quickens trade between China and the UK and deepens the two countries' friendship. "We welcome Chinese Internet enterprises to invest in UK," Lord Davies said.

According to Lord Davies, the Internet faces stern safety challenges from such fast development. A safe Internet environment for enterprises and consumers requires the efforts of the government as well as industry organizations, enterprises and other relative departments. The UK-China Internet Roundtable provides a platform to research and solve Internet-related problems. It is beneficial to both countries to cooperate on the research and development of Internet and 3G technology, administration of illegal and harmful information, and intellectual-property protection. This cooperation will further the development of the World Wide Web.

The conference lasts for a day and a half. Representatives from China and the UK will discuss the "Internet legal system," "administration of illegal and harmful information on the Internet," and "development and application of 3G."