Bank to build infrastructure network to connect Asia

Digital silk road cooperation on information infrastructure cooperation

International heavyweights at the forum discussed ways of helping less-developed economies build a modern Internet network.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said it will invest heavily in information technology infrastructure projects that help make Asia an interconnected region.

Jin Liqun, president-designate of AIIB, said the lender will support an Internet governance system that is multinational, democratic and transparent.

Zhao Houlin, secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union, said low Internet penetration rate in developing economies is widening the digital divide with developed countries.

ITU aims to have 55 percent of households worldwide connected to the Internet by 2020.

Chinese tech giants also contributed ideas on how to set up an inexpensive and efficient infrastructure in less-developed areas.

What participants say

Jin Liqun, president-designate of AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will fund the construction of infrastructure facilities in the economies where there is demand, including building the Internet.

Xu Luode, executive vice-president of Bank of China

We support Chinese IT equipment companies entering overseas markets. BOC will provide financial services to facilitate the process. We also help Chinese telecom carriers in overseas acquisitions by taking advantage of our business network across the globe.