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Chuck Robbins: Technology important in fighting pandemic, reviving economy

wuzhenwic.org Updated: 2021-01-27

Chuck Robbins, chairman and CEO of Cisco, delivered a keynote speech during the Internet Development Forum, which was held in Wuzhen from Nov 23 to 24, 2020.

Here is Mr Robbins' speech:

Thank you very much for having me here today.

First, let me start by saying that Cisco is honored to once again participate in the World Internet Conference, although I wish I could be there with you in person.

Cisco began operations in China in April of 1994, and I personally have travelled to China many times each year, visiting our clients and engineers in cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, Jinan and Hangzhou as well as Wuzhen for this very conference in 2017. 

Cisco has not merely had a front row seat for watching China's development, we've been fortunate to participate and bring our best products and minds to China, and I look forward to visiting again.

This event – for many years – has served as an incredibly important platform that brings together leaders from around the world to share ideas on innovation, economics, trade and mutual cooperation. 

It also serves as one of the most important events for the ICT and internet sectors.

Of course, this year's event is taking place during the global health pandemic – a challenge like no other.

As the World Internet Conference adopts a hybrid format for the first time in its history, we are reminded of the importance of technology and innovation in keeping our world connected and productive for us to come together to find solutions for the world's largest challenges.  

At Cisco, we are very proud to build many of the technologies that can help enable this and bring people together in the midst of a global health emergency.

Today, we are here to discuss the digital economy and science-based prevention and control measures in response to COVID-19.

While this has no doubt been one of the most difficult things we've faced as a global society, never before have we had such a remarkable array of technology to both tackle the virus, but also help support and rebuild our economies.

For our nearly 30 years in China, technology and innovation have been at the core of our values. 

The essence of network technology is innovation, but that's not enough. 

To fully capture the benefits of a connected world and tackle longstanding societal issues, all networks need cooperation and trust. 

You cannot connect two pieces of technology together without partnership. 

We feel the key to prosperity in our shared future will be those two elements: innovation and partnership. 

Cisco is committed to driving innovation that helps our customers and partners as well as our employees.

We are also committed to partnering closely with them to use technology to solve some of the world's greatest challenges – like the global pandemic we are facing.

Technology will play a very crucial role in helping with the global economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 era, and we have an unprecedented opportunity to help companies revolutionize their operations and workplaces. 

China is a unique market.

The historic developments in China over the last 70 years create an opportunity for an enduring and committed partnership that we will continue to embrace. 

From Cisco's perspective, we are confident that the Chinese market will continue to create significant and exciting opportunities as the country advances towards its development goals and uses technology to transform a post-pandemic world.

Cisco's commitment to China is both multifaceted and long-term. 

For example, China is a very important supply chain hub for Cisco and we have procured more than $25 billion from local Chinese companies over the past 10 years alone.

We have an extensive network of partners in China with whom we've invested substantially to develop their business and technology capabilities.  

We have also created a number of successful joint ventures, such as the ICNT JV we established with Inspur in 2017.

We have seen how China has embraced innovation and believe it is a tremendous place to innovate, which is why our R&D center in China is our second largest outside the US. 

It is also critical that we continue to ensure the next generation is prepared with the right skills to continue to drive innovation that will benefit the world.

This is why Cisco has put a major focus on providing skills training to accelerate innovation in China. 

Since its launch more than 20 years ago, Cisco's not-for-profit Networking Academy program has trained more than 820,000 Chinese students in vital ICT skills – the largest number of students throughout Asia – allowing them to contribute to China's economic and technology development. 

Innovation also plays an important role in how we give back in the countries and communities of which we are a part.

This is something that has always been core to Cisco's culture and beliefs.

From the Sichuan earthquake to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, Cisco has worked to provide our technology, our resources and our people to help China address these serious health emergencies. 

During the pandemic, Cisco donated 10 million yuan ($1.54 million) worth of products and systems in Hubei, Shanghai, Beijing and other cities in China, to frontline workers and hospitals to enable remote video communications as well as diagnosis for patients and emergency communications.

Cisco also provided three months of free Webex Meetings to help Chinese enterprises and schools resume work and learning safely while remaining productive during quarantine.

We will continue this commitment as it is more important than ever in the years ahead.

As the world turns to the task of rebuilding and recovery, we know that technology will play a more critical role than ever before.  

Cisco remains deeply committed to being a partner to governments, businesses and communities in all the places where we operate around the world, including and especially, China.

Lastly, I believe that that global economy will be stronger with the US and China working together. 

Stable and strong US-China relations will bring mutual benefits not just to both countries, but the entire world.   

Cisco will continue to do all we can to be a model for constructive US-China cooperation. 

Thank you very much – we look forward to a strong and prosperous future together. 



ORGANIZED BY
Cyberspace Administration of China
People's Government of Zhejiang Province
CO-ORGANIZED BY
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
International Telecommunication Union
World Intellectual Property Organization
GSMA
HOSTED BY
Secretariat of World Internet Conference (Preparatory Office)
Cyberspace Administration of Zhejiang Province
Economy and Information Technology Department of Zhejiang Province
Tongxiang Municipal People's Government
National Internet Emergency Center
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