【答案解析】This is the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Both procedural and substantive issues will be addressed in this meeting. A fruitful Preparatory Committee is essential to the success of the Summit. Now, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, I would like to make a few comments on the preparatory work of the WSIS: // Firstly, we need to highly emphasize the importance of knowledge and human resources. In the future information society, knowledge and skills will be a major driver for economic growth and one of the major contributors to the sustainable development of the information industry. One of the main reasons for the gap between developing and developed countries in information technologies is the lack of knowledge and human resources, which is a key issue to be considered in bridging the "digital divide". // During the Summit and its preparatory process, we shall consider establishing innovative mechanisms for human resource development and explore ways to improve human resource development on the basis of the existing training centers and training resources as well as Internet so as to enhance infocom awareness. Government, business and academic institutions shall work together to establish a new cooperation mechanism in human resource development and training. // Secondly, bridging the "digital divide" requires joint efforts of all countries around the world. Developed countries in particular shall truly shoulder their responsibilities in helping the developing countries accelerate their application of information technologies and narrowing the "digital divide". Concrete actions shall be taken, on the basis of the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation, effectiveness, achievement sharing and common development, to offer active assistance to developing countries in the form of financial support, technology transfer and human resources training. The Summit and the preparatory process shall make real progress in this regard. // Thirdly, the private sector and the nongovernmental organization do make a difference in the development of the information society. Their participation and inputs are important for both the preparatory work and the Summit itself. However, it should also be noted that since policies and goals for the development of global information society will be set during the Summit. all governments shall play the leading role in the preparatory process. Only in this way can we attain the anticipated goals in the preparatory work. // (Excerpts from the Statement by Ambassador Sha Zukang, Head of the Chinese Delegation, at the First Meeting of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on the Information Society)