It is both realistic and visionary to discuss how the construction of the digital Silk Road will contribute to the sustainable development of the "One Belt and One Road" and the formation of a community of common cyber space, common responsibility and shared future, said Niu Yibing, president of People's Daily Online, at the Digital Silk Road and Win-Win Cooperation Forum held during the 2nd World Internet Conference on Dec. 16.

Niu Yibing mainly made three points in his speech.

Firstly, the spiritual essence of the Silk Road and the Internet are coherent. Niu Yibing said: "The Silk Road in the real world and the internet in the virtual world both reflect the pursuit of interconnection, sharing of interest and common destiny."

Secondly, the digital Silk Road will have a broad prospect and bring precious historic opportunities to countries and regions along the Belt and Road: it will realize the interconnectivity in data message service, internet business and international communication service and establish a sharing platform of digitized information; it will facilitate the effective cooperation in transportation, trade, finance, culture, science and technology, medicine and other fields; and it can promote the cultural and educational exchange and people-to-people exchanges. 

Thirdly, the construction of the "One Belt and One Road" helps realize the transformation and development of media. He said: "Integrative development is the core concept of transformation of Chinese Media. I think the digital Silk Road is a great opportunity for media to realize integrative development."

"The great initiative of 'One Belt and One Road' has provided main stream media a wider source of reports and broader international view. We are enjoying a broad platform of multinational cooperation, integrative development and international communication," Niu Yibing said.