Range of new applications to tackle real-life problems unveiled in Wuzhen. 

A 5G-enabled, self-driving minibus, a virtual reality live band and the announcement of a group of new 5G smartphones were among internet technologies and applications unveiled at the 6th World Internet Conference, which ended on Tuesday.

Many attendees at the conference, which was held in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, left with an impression of the extent to which technologies have been commercialized in China. While artificial intelligence, the industrial internet and superfast 5G were merely concepts just a few years ago, they have emerged as a reality in China, tackling real-life problems.

Last year, a virtual news anchor, the world's first, drew attention. This year, another virtual anchor not only was able to broadcast with the same voice, but also had the vivid mannerisms of a real person. 

The improvement was mainly thanks to 3D cloning technology, which uses artificial intelligence to duplicate the anchor in real time, with "her" minor facial expressions depicted accurately.

According to Jon Li, president of Guangdong Kangyun Technologies Ltd, the developer of the technology, such technologies have been widely incorporated into a range of industries in China.

In Guangdong province, the company has been helping the local court record 150,0000 exhibits and evidence in 3D.

"China has witnessed a deeper convergence of forefront technologies including AI, 5G and cloud computing with the real economy. A group of unique companies with innovative capacity have emerged in the country," said Chen Zhaoxiong, vice-minister of industry and information technology, at the conference.

According to reports released during the event, China has taken one of the top spots among 48 economies in internet development, with an increase in innovation capacity, internet applications and industrial development.

In a newly published index that gauged six aspects, including infrastructure level, innovation capacity and cyberspace governance, China's internet development ranked second overall behind the United States. The other economies in the top five were South Korea, the United Kingdom and France.