Experts at an Internet seminar in Beijing on August 31 suggested that an Internet-oriented G20, or “I20,” should be formed to tackle Internet challenges facing G20 members.

The development of cyber security faces three main challenges: Internet sovereignty, terrorism and hackers, and data security, said Lyu Benfu, a professor from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The experts agreed that the Internet will drive global economic growth in the future. In the past, countries promoted trade facilitation and service facilitation, but they will need to focus more attention on data flow facilitation in the future, said Lyu.

On Internet sovereignty, Hao Yeli, Vice Director of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, came up with a three-dimensional perspective that takes nations, the international community, and netizens into consideration.

The international community has long criticized China’s so-called Great Firewall, saying that the electronic barrier hinders free speech. Hao defended China’s national firewall, arguing that poor cyber security and the potential for color revolutions leaves China with no choice.

Hao pointed out that the situation will improve along with improvements in security, mutual trust, democracy, and technology. “For now, however, China is forced to make such policies,” said Hao.

The report on Internet Development of G20 Members was released the same day of the seminar, the first ever such report which focused on G20 countries. The report noted that developing countries are next in line to develop high-speed Internet, and India has become the fastest growing internet market in the 20-member group.

According to Fang Xingdong, founder of the Internet strategy think tank Chinalabs, China should cooperate with India on Internet innovation. Experts at the seminar said that China, India, and the U.S. will dominate the future of Internet innovation.