The Internet is now an integral part of everyday life in developed countries. To meet demand for greater access at higher speeds, governments, high-tech companies, and universities are now developing the next generation of Internet technology.

Internet 2 will be faster, safer, and more resilient than the current Internet. With transmission speeds expected to be 1,000 times faster, it will make available a whole new range of applications, including health care, national security, distance education, bio-medical research, and engineering. University and educational institutions have taken the lead in developing Internet 2 technology, just as the current commercial Internet was evolved from educational institution networks in the 1980s.
Internationally, over 170 universities have joined hands with industry and governments to study and develop the Internet 2 project. In September 2000, with China in the initial stages of Internet 2 research and development, Mr. Li Ka-shing lent his support by making a donation towards the establishment of a Future Internet Technology Research Center (FIT) at Tsinghua University.

The Center, which opened in December 2003, is equipped with all the state-of-the-art research and development facilities necessary for successful completion of the project.

In addition to serving as the operations and demonstration center for China's Internet 2 development, FIT will also become a base for the nation's research into other advanced technologies.

Tsinghua and Shantou University are in discussion to establish a joint Future Internet Technology Research Center.