Xi's speech: Reactions from the ground

President Xi Jinping addresses the opening of the Second World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday. WU ZHIYI/CHINA DAILY

Business leaders, officials, and researchers responded to President Xi Jinping's speech during the World Internet Conference on Wednesday.

HP executive impressed by Xi's willingness to develop the Web

"What impressed me most is that President Xi Jinping came out to set the stage to promote the development of the Internet in China," said Wing Kin Cheung, global vice president of Hewlett-Packard Co.

President Xi really emphasized the cross-border collaboration while at the same time respecting local cultures and differences, said Cheung.

"We want to better serve the public sector and government as well as common citizens in China", said Cheung.

Xi's five points positive for Internet: CEO of Breyer Capital

Jim Breyer, founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, said the five points in the high-level strategy are very positive for the evolution of the Internet. He was amazed at the long term strategic view President Xi Jinping has articulated.

When it comes to the Internet and technology, in the United States and elsewhere, we don't often see leaders articulate a 10 to 20 year plan, said Breyer.

For me as a long-term venture capitalist and investor for entrepreneurial companies, it's very exciting to think about the Internet 10 years from now and what it means for our entrepreneurial opportunities in China and in the US, said Breyer.

Breyer was very impressed by his long-term view, the articulation of the importance of the Internet and how it touches so many aspects of our societies.

Xi's speech reaffirms China's embrace of technologies as driver for growth: UK expert

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

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, said Bovis.

According to Bovis, 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, said Bovis.