<div dir="auto">Quite interesting recollection Prof Sam. Thank you for sharing </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Alagie </div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, 13 Apr 2024 at 09:01, Johan Helsingius <<a href="mailto:00001963cc94b85a-dmarc-request@listserv.syr.edu">00001963cc94b85a-dmarc-request@listserv.syr.edu</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Incidentally Matthias Hudobnik (SSAC) has just managed to<br>
arm-wrestle me and Jaap Akkerhuis (also SSAC) to get together<br>
and reminisce of the early days of UUCP and the first Internet<br>
connections in Europe, as well as bringing the net to the (rapidly<br>
disintegrating) Soviet Union - and of course the good old<br>
"kremvax" April fools' hoax... :)<br>
<br>
Julf<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 12/04/2024 22:15, Sam Lanfranco wrote:<br>
> NCSG Colleagues,<br>
> <br>
> Forgive me if I reminisce a bit here. In November of 1992, a year and a <br>
> half before China connected to the global Internet I was in Beijing <br>
> delivering a 2400 baud Telebit Teleblazer to a scientific institute in <br>
> that city.<br>
> <br>
> We used [expensive] dialup to connect to a similar modem at PeaceNet in <br>
> the San Francisco Bay Area.<br>
> <br>
> Earlier, in the 1980s, China was purchasing communications equipment <br>
> from my research colleagues in Yugoslavia, in the part that is now <br>
> Slovenia. Here I have a Canadian neighbor who was in charge of bringing <br>
> the Digital Equipment Corporation’s (DEC’s) PDP-10 to China in those years.<br>
> <br>
> In the early '80s people from the San Francisco Bay Area, including the <br>
> non-profits: ARC Foundation; Center for Innovative Diplomacy; Community <br>
> Data Processing; and Foundation for the Arts of Peace came together <br>
> around a vision of a computer network to support the work of individuals <br>
> and organizations working to reduce the risks of war and to promote <br>
> peace. PeaceNet was launched. EcoNet, joined with PeaceNet to became <br>
> the Institute for Global Communications (IGC), which became a project of <br>
> the Tides Foundation.<br>
> <br>
> Much of that early history is almost lost, especially as the private <br>
> sector “Internet whales” push to shape the Internet in commercial <br>
> directions and write its history in their favor. In June of 1997, in <br>
> Toronto, with help from the World Bank and numerous international <br>
> organizations we secured global funding for “Global Knowledge 97: <br>
> Knowledge for Development in the Information Age”, an early global <br>
> conference focused on peace and development via the Internet. We also <br>
> secured multilateral funding for Bellanet, at Canada’s International <br>
> Development Research Centre (IDRC). Bellanet was charged with promoting <br>
> multilateral government use of the Internet. That early vision saw the <br>
> Internet as a platform for global understanding, peace and shared <br>
> prosperity.<br>
> <br>
> Closing on a humorous note, I worked with the woman who convinced <br>
> Canada’s public Canadian Broadcasting System to have its first web page. <br>
> The only argument that worked was when she explained that they could <br>
> sell coffee mugs and tee shirts online.<br>
> <br>
> Sam Lanfranco, NCSG<br>
> <br>
> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telebit" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telebit</a> <br>
> <<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telebit" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telebit</a>><br>
> <br>
> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Baran" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Baran</a> <br>
> <<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Baran" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Baran</a>><br>
> <br>
> <a href="https://www.igc.org/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.igc.org/</a> <<a href="https://www.igc.org/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.igc.org/</a>><br>
> <br>
> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-10" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-10</a> <<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-10" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-10</a>><br>
> <br>
> *From:*NCSG-Discuss <<a href="mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU" target="_blank">NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU</a>> *On Behalf Of <br>
> *Marilia Maciel<br>
> *Sent:* Friday, April 12, 2024 5:12 AM<br>
> *To:* <a href="mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU" target="_blank">NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU</a><br>
> *Subject:* Event: 30 years of internet in China: Between past growth and <br>
> future challenges<br>
> <br>
> Dear colleagues,<br>
> <br>
> The event below might be of interest. The 30th anniversary of China's <br>
> connection to the global Internet will take place next week. Diplo and <br>
> the Fuxi Institution jointly put together a very knowleageble panel, to <br>
> look back at this period of technological growth in China and in the <br>
> West, and the challenges foreseen in the future. We hope you can join us <br>
> on April 19th.<br>
> <br>
> All the best,<br>
> <br>
> Marilia<br>
> <br>
> View this email in your browser <br>
> <<a href="https://mailchi.mp/diplomacy/30-years-of-internet-in-china?e=db990db001" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mailchi.mp/diplomacy/30-years-of-internet-in-china?e=db990db001</a>><br>
> <br>
> <<a href="https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=e5ff33ca7c&e=db990db001" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=e5ff33ca7c&e=db990db001</a>><br>
> <br>
> *Online Anniversary Symposium* <br>
> <<a href="https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=c2ade5e238&e=db990db001" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=c2ade5e238&e=db990db001</a>><br>
> <br>
> *12:00–13:00 UTC | 14:00–15:00 CEST | 20:00–21:00 Beijing*<br>
> <br>
> On 20 April 1994, China connected to the internet. It was one of the <br>
> most important developments in the digital history of the 20th century. <br>
> Digitalisation has been the engine behind the rise of the *Chinese <br>
> economy*, lifting millions out of poverty. China displays a vibrant <br>
> digital economy and is home to many leading digital companies.<br>
> <br>
> In the 1990s, US technology was primarily employed to build the ‘eight <br>
> vertical and eight horizontal’ fibre-optic backbone, a nationwide <br>
> grid-shaped fibre-optic network representing the core of the Chinese <br>
> internet. As globalisation boomed, China and the West became <br>
> increasingly intertwined through growing flows of trade, finance, and by <br>
> the decentralisation of production. The use of Chinese platforms has <br>
> grown. China has also enacted a wide range of *digital legislation *on <br>
> data security, personal information protection, and digital governance.<br>
> <br>
> In less than two decades, however, telecommunications and mobile <br>
> technology have become the first well-established fields of <br>
> *geopolitical rivalry* between the USA and China. This dispute for <br>
> leadership is spreading through a vast array of so-called ‘critical and <br>
> emerging technologies’, including *artificial intelligence* (AI). <br>
> Tension is rising between the two digital powers, and measures have been <br>
> put in place to restrict access to each other’s digital markets.<br>
> <br>
> *On the occasion of the 30th anniversary, Diplo will host a discussion <br>
> focusing on the past growth and future challenges of Chinese <br>
> digitalisation. *<br>
> <br>
> The discussion will address, among others, the following questions:<br>
> <br>
> * What is the significance of the last 30 years of internet deployment<br>
> in China for developing the global internet?<br>
> * What are the expectations for the future of China’s internet?<br>
> * What are the main trends in AI and digital regulation in China?<br>
> * What is China’s current and potential future role internationally in<br>
> AI and digital governance? <br>
> <br>
> *Panellists*<br>
> <br>
> * Jovan Kurbalija, Director, Diplo; Head, Geneva Internet Platform<br>
> * Lee Xiaodong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fuxi Institution;<br>
> Professor, Tsinghua University<br>
> * Liu Hao, Executive Chair, School of Global Governance, Beijing<br>
> Institute of Technology<br>
> * Rogier Creemers, Assistant Professor and Lecturer, Modern Chinese<br>
> Studies, University of Leiden<br>
> * Sorina Teleanu, Director of Knowledge, Diplo<br>
> <br>
> *Moderator*<br>
> <br>
> * Marilia Maciel, Head of Digital Commerce and Internet Policy, Diplo <br>
> <br>
> *REGISTER NOW!* <br>
> <<a href="https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=5479489b93&e=db990db001" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=5479489b93&e=db990db001</a>><br>
> <br>
> /To my understanding, all this happened because of two significant <br>
> events. The internet, an epoch-making innovation, sprang up from the <br>
> West, while in China, we had been in the Reform and Open-Door Age.//<br>
> <br>
> /Because of these two significant events, with the impact of the <br>
> internet, China started to embrace the world market, and China's booming <br>
> economy became world-shaking. At the same time, because of China's <br>
> joining, the world also changed profoundly./<br>
> <br>
> ///<br>
> *Hu Qiheng*<br>
> China’s Internet Pioneer and Global Connector<br>
> <br>
> *Organised in partnership with the Fuxi Institution**<br>
> <br>
> *<<a href="https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=12aa747c18&e=db990db001" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=12aa747c18&e=db990db001</a>><br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> /Copyright © 2024 DiploFoundation, All rights reserved./<br>
> You are receiving this email because you expressed an interest in <br>
> DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform.<br>
> <br>
> *Our mailing address is:*<br>
> <br>
> DiploFoundation<br>
> <br>
> No. 5<br>
> <br>
> Hriereb Street<br>
> <br>
> Msida MSD 1675<br>
> <br>
> Malta<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Add us to your address book <br>
> <<a href="https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/vcard?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=4510155485" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/vcard?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=4510155485</a>><br>
> <br>
> <br>
> <br>
> Want to change how you receive these emails?<br>
> You can update your preferences <br>
> <<a href="https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/profile?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=4510155485&e=db990db001&c=93469c00b1" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/profile?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=4510155485&e=db990db001&c=93469c00b1</a>> or unsubscribe from all Diplo and GIP emails <<a href="https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=4510155485&t=b&e=db990db001&c=93469c00b1" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://diplomacy.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=89e7299f9fe54eed66d45cf3d&id=4510155485&t=b&e=db990db001&c=93469c00b1</a>>.<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> -- <br>
> <br>
> *______________________________*<br>
> <br>
> *Marília Maciel, PhD*<br>
> <br>
> Head Digital Commerce and Internet Policy | Diplo<br>
> <br>
> <a href="mailto:MariliaM@diplomacy.edu" target="_blank">MariliaM@diplomacy.edu</a> <mailto:<a href="mailto:MariliaM@diplomacy.edu" target="_blank">MariliaM@diplomacy.edu</a>> | @MariliaM<br>
> <a href="http://www.diplomacy.edu" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.diplomacy.edu</a> <<a href="http://www.diplomacy.edu/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.diplomacy.edu/</a>><br>
> <br>
> <<a href="https://www.diplomacy.edu/subscribe/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.diplomacy.edu/subscribe/</a>><br>
> <br>
</blockquote></div></div>