Welcome Remarks of Ya-Qin Zhang

U.S. China Internet Industry Forum

November 7, 2008

• Thank you Chairwoman Hu. Vice Minister Cai, Consul General Camp, distinguished leaders of government, industry, media, and academia from China, the United States and the region.

• MS honored to co-host this second U.S. China Internet Industry Forum with the Internet Society of China in the wonderful city of Shanghai.

• We began this Forum in Seattle a year ago to create a platform for dialogue on Internet developments and challenges. We share a common belief in the power of the Internet for growth and social development. Our goals for this Forum remain similar to last year's.

o To review Internet trends in the two largest Internet using nations in the world.

o To discuss Internet technology, business, policy and social developments that will shape the future.

o To discuss candidly a few of the biggest challenges the Internet faces.

o To build confidence, understanding, relationships and a platform for dialogue that will live on and thrive beyond this meeting.

• We have distinguished participants from the U.S. and China. Joining us from the U.S are:

o eBay, Yahoo, Google, Intel, Cisco, AOL/Time Warner, AT&T, Amazon, Akamai, About.com, Merrill Lynch, Dow Jones, Emperor Investment, to name just a few.

o And we are also delighted to welcome Consul General Camp and her colleagues from the U.S. Government, and also academics from Harvard University's Berkman Center and the University of St. Gallen.

• This year the discussion includes more representatives from the on-line media industry. These businesses depend on the open flow of information on-line (news, entertainment, and advertising), but they also recognize the impact such information can have on society.

• While MS and ISC are facilitating, this is truly a pan-industry, bilateral Internet forum.

• The Internet presents enormous opportunity and great challenges for all stakeholders.

• In exploring trends, business models, technology, policy and regulation, we will ask the following questions:

o How is the Internet changing the way we live, work, govern, learn, and play?

o What approaches are appropriate for government, industry, press, NGOs, netizens to nurture and grow the full potential of the Internet?

o What is responsible conduct?

• Let me welcome you once again and introduce one of Microsoft's leading thinkers on the future of technology and the Internet, a founding father of this forum and a great friend and student of China: MS Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie.

(China.org.cn November 7, 2008)