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Zen Soo

 
Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi

When I founded Xiaomi, my goal was to make good smartphones that would capture the hearts of users. Many Chinese companies believe that they should treat customers like they are God, but I believe that we should treat our customers as friends [and build a relationship with them]. To build a company that can last through centuries, you need to be the real deal, you need substance.
Xiaomi does not emphasise goals [such as smartphone sales] anymore, because I want to get rid of traditional key performance indicators. We need to go back to our original mission - to make a good product for our users - instead of being affected by external judgements or numbers.
I hope that Xiaomi can represent China as we move to [penetrate] more countries worldwide. Many people ask me when Xiaomi will expand to South Korea or the United States, but I think we need some time. We need to move one step at a time to bring the Xiaomi user experience to a global audience.
 
Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group

The internet is the new engine of China’s economic development. The transaction record of the Singles Day festival has reached 91.2 billion yuan [HK$109.4 billion], reflecting China’s strong internal demand. Alibaba has created about 10 million direct employment opportunities, and 3.5 million indirect employment opportunities.
[On Alibaba's purchase of the South China Morning Post]: Trust us. Why do people have to think that if we have [bought it], it will lose its independence? We also read the newspapers. We also want media independence and fairness. What basis is there that with us, there will be no more independence?
 
Liu Chuanzhi, founder of Lenovo

The world is changing quickly and there is much uncertainty. Technological innovation and business models are what moves the Chinese economy, and it is important to push for internet innovation.
But many entrepreneurs today are not practical. To make strides in business, it is not just about innovation but also about policies, and even international situations. As entrepreneurs, you need to be forward-looking. There may be many external factors that are out of your control, but you need to make considerations and carefully analyse those that you can manage.
 
Elizabeth Ujarura, acting deputy director of Namibia’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
We need to balance security and democracy. Internet freedom should not compromise the national security of a country. We also need to make sure everybody can have easy access to the internet and share information. When we draft [internet] laws, we need to balance these two elements. It’s also important to have a set of harmonised international standards [for cybersecurity].
China is ahead of us. It has huge resources and technological know-how. We are engaging a lot of people from the Chinese government, who are operating in Namibia. We need investment on infrastructure development ... because of a lack of resources. China can assist developing countries in getting the infrastructure, through bilateral or multilateral agreements. After we resolve the issue of infrastructure, then we can address the affordability of internet services and devices.
 
Zhou Hanhua, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The five proposals by [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping] have received the full backing from Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and other state leaders. This is closely linked to our “one belt, one road” strategy. These countries are all part of the “one belt, one road” plan. The internet can help these civilisations increase exchanges, and can also help Chinese business to develop e-commerce.
 
Dallas Han, student delegate from Princeton University
It’s positive to see the Chinese government looking at, with credibility, the issue of [cybersecurity] that nations have been confronting for some time. The internet provides us with a lot of opportunities. With these opportunities come a lot of ground for misinformation, manipulation and evil deeds of all stripes. To combat that, I think we need to have leaders from different perspective and cultures to talk and show the need for the world to jointly address these issues. I have faith that [Western countries and China] can come together and see how we can jointly shape the internet.
 
Ophir Gottesgnade, Pi Consulting
I think [Xi Jinping] touched on the right issue, especially on security. As to how to combine internet freedom and security, it would be good [to find a balance]. I think governments should create a safe place for everybody. They should not only make it safe on the streets, but also on the internet. That will be good for all of us.


Well connected: The growing reach of China’s internet sector

In cyberspace, China’s aim is to control and censor, no matter what it says

Cybersecurity is a worthy goal, but the internet is also about free information flows 

China set for quantum leaps in spook-proof communications

World Internet Conference 2015

World Internet Conference 2015: Top quotes from the opening day of China’s annual three-day event

Participants cross a bridge to enter the World Internet Conference venue in the scenic town of Wuzhen in eastern China's Zhejiang province on December 16, 2015. China's second World Internet Conference begins in Wuzhen with officials from technology giants including Nokia, Apple, Kaspersky, IBM and Samsung expected to attend. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE

(151216) -- WUZHEN, Dec. 16, 2015 (Xinhua) -- Founder of Alibaba Group Jack Ma reacts during a round-table discussion of Chinese and Russian enterprises in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 16, 2015. Representatives from Chinese and Russian enterprises, including Alibaba Group, Tencent and Skolkovo, participated in the discussion here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Xin)(mcg)

Lei Jun

(151216) -- WUZHEN, Dec. 16, 2015 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Ruimin (R), chairman of Haier Group, talks with Liu Chuanzhi, chairman of China's largest PC maker Lenovo, during the Second World Internet Conference in Wuzhen Town, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 16, 2015. The Second World Internet Conference opened here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zhu Liming) (zwx)

The quaint water town of Wuzhen in eastern Zhejiang province is playing host to China's second World Internet Conference. The historic location serves as an interesting counterpoint to the future-oriented themes of the three-day event, which wraps up on Friday. Photo: AFP

The world needs new rules for cyberspace, says China’s President Xi Jinping

No Caption Available.

China’s President Xi Jinping delivers the keynote speech at the World Internet Conference in Zhejiang province on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Russia’s Kaspersky Labs signs deal with China Cyber Security Company as Beijing and Moscow call for end to US domination of internet

epa05070985 Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of government with the Chinese president in Wuzhen town of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province of China, 16 December 2015. EPA/YEKATERINA SHTUKINA / RSPUTNIK POOL / KREMLIN POOL

Interview with Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab. 16JUL14

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Double standards: China’s push to develop internet for economic gain tempered by strict censorship

Since China’s President Xi Jinping came to power he has imposed the strictest censorship on online discussions and launched campaigns to crack down on dissenting opinions. Photo: Reuters

Reform of China’s booming internet financial services comes as fraud cases highlight lack of efficient industry regulation

Peer-to-peer, or P2P, lending currently accounts for only a small part of China’s total loan businesses. Photo: SCMP Pictures.

Xi, Xiaomi and the censorship game: Foreign visitors at World Internet Conference in China given free smartphones and cheat codes to access blocked websites

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Second World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen Town, east China’s Zhejiang Province on Wednesday. But did he use a secret new teleprompter? Photo: Xinhua