Nation shines in digital

Businesses laud leadership's backing for technology-driven progress

China's growing openness and its digital economy's continuing impetus to social and economic development are big positives, business executives and experts said.

Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder and chairman of Airbnb China, a vacation home-rental platform, said President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message to the 4th World Internet Conference on Sunday showcased the open and supportive attitude of the country's leaders toward the digital economy as well as the increasingly pioneering role China plays in innovation.