Delegates attend the Fourth World Internet Conference in the water town of Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2017. The conference opened Sunday in Wuzhen. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Innovation leaders and government representatives from around the world said the remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a congratulatory letter to the Fourth World Internet Conference were of great significance and practicality.

In his letter, Xi said the development of the internet has posed many new challenges for the sovereignty, security, and development interests of the world's countries.

He said China hopes to work with the international community to respect cyberspace sovereignty and carry forward the spirit of partnership to commonly advance development, safeguard security, participate in governance, and share the benefits.

China has welcomed world countries to ride fast train of internet and digital economy, which is inspiring, said Vallobh Muangkeo, Secretary General of National Assembly of Thailand.

"We hope Thailand will share the benefit and happiness brought by the development of internet industry along China's 'digital silk road,'" he said.

Luigi Gambardella, President of ChinaEU, the business-led International Association aimed at intensifying business cooperation and mutual investments in Internet, Telecom and Hitech between China and Europe, said the remarks showed Xi's commitment.

"Xi recognizes that there are many challenges ahead of us such as security problem and privacy protection. Today it's not possible to discuss future policy and regulation of the internet without China," he said. "Xi's words show that China is very keen to work with other countries to discuss the challenge and to cooperate."

Tatjana Matic, State Secretary of Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of Serbia, said common interests can only be realized when all countries become participants of the global cyberspace.

"I think it's critical to have all the countries come together to build a better future for our society," said Mohammed Almeshekah, Deputy Minister for Planning and Development, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia.

He said it was amazing to see how hard countries were focusing on bringing more people online. "I think we are all in this together to combat challenge in cyberspace and figure out innovative solutions."

The conference, themed on "Developing digital economy for openness and shared benefits -- building a community of common future in cyberspace," runs from Sunday to Tuesday.

According to the organizing committee, over 1,500 guests from more than 80 countries and regions, including government officials, heads of international organizations, leading figures of internet companies, experts and scholars, attended the conference in the east China town of Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province.