Conference Overview

The 2021 West Lake Cybersecurity Conference officially launched on April 24 in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. As a key event in China’s cybersecurity sector, it was held at the Hangzhou International Expo Center and ran for three days (concluding on April 26).

The conference included multiple components to cover diverse topics:

• A main forum (for high-level discussions on core issues)
• 15 sub-forums (focused on niche areas of cybersecurity)
• A cybersecurity exhibition (showcasing industry technologies and solutions)
• A themed concert (blending technology and culture)

Theme & Highlights

Centered on the theme “Cybersecurity – the foundation of digital reform”, the annual conference attracted a lineup of top talents: academicians, experts, scholars, industry elites, and government officials, all gathering to share insights and experience in digital reform and cybersecurity.

A standout session was the cybersecurity dialogue, attended by four renowned academicians:

• Shen Changxiang (Chinese Academy of Engineering)
• Yin Hao (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
• Wang Jian (Chinese Academy of Engineering)
• Song Liang (Canadian Academy of Engineering)

The academicians conducted in-depth discussions on critical topics such as data security, new smart city development, and the industrial Internet—providing valuable guidance for industry development.

Additionally, industrial insiders and government officials were invited to interpret national cybersecurity standards and policies, helping attendees stay updated on regulatory trends and compliance requirements.

Key Releases

To support industry development, the conference released several important white papers, including:

• White paper on the security index of new-type intelligent cities (providing a framework for evaluating smart city cybersecurity)
• White paper on the cybersecurity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (addressing emerging security risks in UAV applications)

Conference Background & Organizers

First held in 2012, the West Lake Cybersecurity Conference has grown into a landmark event in China’s cybersecurity sector, playing a key role in promoting academic exchanges, industry cooperation, and policy communication.

The 2021 edition was co-sponsored by:

• Cyberspace Administration of Zhejiang
• Economy and Information Technology Department of Zhejiang
• Zhejiang Provincial Department of Public Security
• Zhejiang Communications Administration
• Hangzhou Municipal Government