1st LD-Writethru: Xi urges Internet expansion, int'l cooperation, "order"

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for Internet access to be expanded worldwide and for more international cooperation to manage content and ensure legality online.

"More nations and people should be given the chance to ride the fast train of the information age," Xi said at the Second World Internet Conference, a three-day event organized by China which opened in Wuzhen of the eastern Zhejiang Province on Wednesday.

He urged "reform of global Internet governance" and said "the old mentality of a zero-sum game and winners taking all should be rejected... to safeguard order in cyberspace."

"All nations should strengthen opening up efforts in cyberspace and develop platforms for communication and cooperation, in addition to creating more converging points of common interest," according Xi.

He compared cyberspace to the real world, saying the world needs to strike a balance between "order" and freedom of expression.

"Cyberspace is not a domain beyond the rule of law. While respecting Internet users' rights of exchanging ideas and expressing their minds, efforts should be made to build a sound cyberspace order under the law so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of all Internet users."

"Greater efforts should be made to strengthen ethical standards and promote civilized behavior in cyberspace," the president said. Endi