BEIJING, July 9 (Alliance News): Officials and experts from major Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) cities emphasized enhanced collaboration in digital connectivity, smart urban development, and people-to-people exchanges during the Global Mayors Dialogue · SCO Summit Cities event held in Tianjin.
The gathering, a prelude to the upcoming SCO summit set to be hosted by Tianjin this autumn, brought together senior municipal officials, think tank leaders, and media representatives who identified city-level cooperation as a strategic pillar for deepening regional integration.
Wang Xu, executive vice-mayor of Tianjin, reiterated the city’s readiness to partner with other SCO summit cities to share best practices in governance, strengthen trade and industrial ties, and jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative.
He emphasized the importance of building “smart, well-managed cities” using advanced technologies such as big data, AI, and cloud computing to create predictive governance systems and integrated public services.
Qu Yingpu, editor-in-chief of China Daily, underscored the importance of mutual learning and people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening the SCO’s foundation.
“The Shanghai Spirit comes alive through city-level collaboration rooted in openness, mutual trust, and cultural exchange,” he said.
Shen Lei, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, outlined efforts to expand cross-border cooperation and build integrated connectivity platforms.
She noted that Tianjin has already established sister-city ties with 103 cities globally — including 20 in SCO member states — and is contributing to urban planning in Kyrgyzstan’s new city project, Asman.
The strategic relevance of smart cities and sustainable urban development was echoed by Bishkek Mayor Aibek Dzhunushaliev and St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, who both stressed the potential of digital transformation and industrial collaboration within the SCO framework.
Cui Li, vice-chairperson of the SCO Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission, called for deeper experience-sharing and expanded sister-city relationships during the SCO Year of Sustainable Development, aimed at building eco-friendly, livable and smart cities.
With the fifth SCO summit on Chinese soil approaching, Tianjin’s urban diplomacy initiatives and inter-city linkages are being positioned as key mechanisms for long-term regional peace, prosperity and integration.
