HANGZHOU, May 11 : Vice President Han Zheng on Monday attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Digital Education Conference and delivered a speech in Hangzhou, China.
Han Zheng said that digital technologies such as artificial intelligence are developing at a rapid pace.
President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the profound impact of artificial intelligence on education, and emphasizes promoting all-school education with artificial intelligence and general education for all society, and continuously cultivating high-quality talents.
In recent years, China has vigorously implemented the National Digital Education Strategy, accelerated the transformation of digitally empowered education, shared high-quality digital education resources with learners around the world, and worked with all parties to build a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable global digital education ecosystem.
Han Zheng pointed out that the integration of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and education is not only an important opportunity for global education development, but also a common issue facing countries. China is willing to work with all parties to in-depth explore the vision and governance path of digital education, improve the system of rules and standards, and jointly promote digital education change and innovation.
Han Zheng put forward four proposals: First, to put people first, keep to the original intention of nurturing people, pay more attention to the wisdom and heart nurturing of education, and cultivate new people of the times who are good at solving problems, have lifelong learning capabilities, and can harness artificial intelligence and lead the future development.
Second, we must uphold inclusive and equitable access, ensure equal access, promote joint efforts and shared benefits in digital infrastructure, and continue to enhance the inclusiveness, fairness and quality of education, so that the dividends of the integration of digital technology and education reach more people.
Third, we must adhere to smartness for good, develop safely and orderly, establish a risk monitoring and evaluation system, guide good use and prevent abuse, and ensure that artificial intelligence technology truly serves the full growth of learners.
Fourth, we should stay committed to openness and creativity, promote mutual learning among civilizations, adhere to an open attitude and innovative spirit, build on multilateral frameworks such as UNESCO, play the role of the World Digital Education Alliance, deepen international exchange and cooperation, and jointly promote the sound development of digital education.
The President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Economy, Education and Research delivered a video message to the opening ceremony, and UNESCO Director-General attended and addressed.
The theme of the 2026 World Digital Education Conference is “AI + Education: Change, Development and Governance,” and more than 850 people from Chinese and foreign government departments, international organizations, representatives of universities and schools, enterprises and experts and scholars attended the opening ceremony.
Before the opening ceremony, Han Zheng toured the booth where the digitalization of education achievements were displayed and interacted with the heads of participating organizations and enterprises.
