Hong Kong Model United Nations Conference

Position Paper on Digital Divide

The People’s Republic of China

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been developed

rapidly yet spread unevenly, resulting in digital divide between and within
nations. Realizing the potential of ICTs in realizing the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), the People’s Republic of China acknowledges
the significance and necessity of bridging digital divide.

For China, digital divide has been most evident across rural and urban
areas. Among the 300 million Internet users in China, 72.2 percent are
urban residents and 27.8 percent are rural inhabitants. This reflects a
highly unbalanced divide between rural and urban areas within the
country.

The major obstacles in overcoming digital divide are the price of

digitization, which involves construction of telecommunication
infrastructure and the cost of using ICTs, and the transfer of ICT skills that
enables maximum utilization of ICTs. Taking measures addressing and
overcoming these problems is crucial to narrowing digital divide.

Hence, China appreciates the establishment of the International

Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU has been instrumental in setting
forth clear goals and facilitating cooperation work between countries.
China strongly supports the 11 Action Lines the ITU has proposed and has
taken proactive measures in realizing them. China also appreciates the
Global Digital Solidarity Fund which has financed countries to narrow
digital divide.

On its own, China has been active in bridging digital divide. At present,
farmers in the western China have limited and costly channels to ICTs,
thus placing them in a disadvantaged position. Seeing this shortcoming,
China has come up with the concept of Information Home. Each
Information Home is equipped with a computer and a printer and has
access to the Internet. It provides farmers with current market information,
thus bridging the gap.
China also believes that education is a key to narrowing digital divide.
Implementation of ICT education in schools has equipped many with the
necessary basics to maximize their utilization of ICTs. Most of the middle
schools and primary schools in China have opened compulsory course on
ICTs, which has improved their capacity to suit the modern society and
reach out to the world.

Recognizing the power of enterprises, China also sees enterprises as a key

stakeholder in bridging digital divide. China Mobile has played role in
bridging China’s digital divide by bring telecommunication access to more
than 77 000 remote rural villages.

China believes that digital divide is a problem the UN should put in even
greater emphasis. By committing to narrowing digital divide, the world can
benefit from faster growth and development.

Hence, China calls for an increase in financial support for the Global Digital
Solidarity Fund to assist countries in setting up better telecommunication
infrastructure. Education assistance should also be a priority as it is the
prerequisite of exploiting ICTs. Therefore, China calls for more aids in the
educational and/or talent training sector from the international community.

China also wishes to see more collaborative effort between countries in

overcoming digital divide, may it be in the form of technology exchange,
and/or physical aids. As emphasized in the Geneva Plan of Action,
partnerships and cooperation among all participants can maximize the
benefits for stakeholders globally. The 11 Action Lines set forth by the ITU
are to be realized by 2015. China hereby expresses its sincere hope in
seeing progress in bridging digital divide.