CHINA TOPIX

11/02/2024 09:37:39 am

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How World Internet Conference Transformed Wuzhen

Life in Wuzhen

(Photo : Getty Images) Mainly because of its Internet economy and traditional culture, Wuzhen received the honor of being the perennial host of this big annual Internet-related event. The is because the place serves as an ideal model how the Internet can affect people live their lives.

With the upcoming Second World Internet Conference on December 16 to 18, once again the small town of Wuzhen is set to welcome about 2000 delegates from about 120 countries.

This year, organizers are expecting nearly half of the guests from other countries, including eight foreign leaders and 50 ministers. 

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Comparing the town of Wuzhen today to three decades ago, the imminent and quick changes cannot be denied. What used to be a remote, quiet town now has new state-of-the-art avenues to reach the outside world. 

Mainly because of its Internet economy and traditional culture, Wuzhen received the honor of being the perennial host of this big annual Internet-related event. The is because the place serves as an ideal model how the Internet can affect people live their lives.

With the most concentrated Wi-Fi spot across China, the town has more than 2600 available hotspots to connect to. Internet is literally everywhere, even in toilets.

In addition, use of paper bills or cash seems obsolete here as people can opt to make purchase via online mobile system. This technology has just recently found its way in urbanized cities like Guangzhou.

Who needs business cards when establishments can go paperless? Just like Wi-Fi, QR codes can be easily scanned along the busiest roads of the town where business enterprise like hotels and restaurants are situated. 

In a snap of time, QR codes can provide tourists and visitors essential information such as contact number, online booking, introduction and other customers' feedbacks of business establishments.

It looks like phone hotlines are also nearing extinction in this side of the world. People here ditch the long lines when communicating with the local government, instead they send their requests, questions and concerns via an app called Wuzhenminqing.

Local village official Li Hangyu stated that "With this app, we can answer villager's help 24/7 no matter where we are, which highly improves efficiency."

Most importantly, with regard to health, Wuzhen gives its villagers a one-of-a-kind hospital. Opened on December 6, the "Internet hospital" enables healthcare providers who are miles away to make consultations and diagnosis.

With a cloud computing system, the hospital can forward and scan relevant information physicians need. After analysis, they can send back or inform patients through a remote video system of their findings. Also, medicines prescribed can be picked up from the hospital, especially those that are not readily available in town.

Whether its tourism, local livelihoods and administration, Wuzhen is moving fast towards becoming a "smart" city. Since 2014, over 20 Internet companies have reportedly set up here. 

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