Intl cities keen to build deep ties with Chengdu

City leaders from around the world voiced growing interest in expanding cooperation with Chengdu in areas ranging from artificial intelligence and robotics to cultural exchange and green urban development, as the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue • Chengdu concluded in the Sichuan provincial capital on Friday.

The three-day event gathered representatives from 32 cities in 26 countries and five international organizations under the theme "Park City: Harmonious Coexistence". Delegates explored Chengdu's practices in urban governance, technology and ecological development through roundtables and city tours.

Ursula Sautter, deputy mayor of Bonn, Germany, said each visit to Chengdu had revealed new aspects of the city's transformation. Visiting Chengdu for the fourth time in two years, she said she was particularly impressed this time by the city's technological progress and creative industries.

A computer games enthusiast herself, Sautter was surprised to discover that artists from Chengdu had contributed to some of the games she regularly plays.

During a visit to the Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, she encountered a locally developed humanoid robot with vivid facial expressions.

"It's my first time seeing a humanoid robot with such a vivid, expressive face," Sautter said, adding that robots in Germany are mainly used in sectors such as healthcare and automobile manufacturing.

She said Bonn hopes to expand cooperation with Chengdu from cultural exchange to areas such as robotics research.

Vito Episcopo, vice-mayor of Granada, Spain, also highlighted Chengdu's innovation capabilities in both technology and culture.

During a city tour, Episcopo tested smart glasses developed by a local company that enabled real-time translation between Spanish and Chinese.

"It's so impressive," Episcopo said, adding that he exchanged WeChat contacts with the company representative and hopes to introduce the technology in Spain.

"AI represents one of the greatest opportunities to improve public service, urban management and quality of life for citizens," he said, expressing hopes for stronger cooperation with Chengdu in AI development.

Granada also plans to deepen exchanges with Chengdu in cultural heritage protection, Episcopo said, noting that both cities share histories spanning more than 2,000 years.

Kevin Coleman, mayor of Westland in the United States, said Chengdu's park city concept provided valuable inspiration for his own city.

"The city is doing a lot of innovative things around parks, with a lot of attractive benefits for young people and families," he said. "That's something I think American cities can learn from."

Coleman added that people-to-people exchanges should also be strengthened.

"We're looking at a cultural festival in Westland, and having groups from China — maybe students — come over to participate, perform and learn, and then perhaps send some American students to this region," he said.

Chen Shuping, mayor of Chengdu, said the city has explored a sustainable development path integrating ecology, industry and urban life through its park city initiative.

Home to more than 21 million residents, Chengdu has built over 1,500 parks and 10,000 kilometers of greenways. Improved air quality now allows residents to see snowcapped mountains more than 100 kilometers away around 80 days each year, he said.

Chen called on cities worldwide to deepen cooperation in industrial development and green growth, strengthen the application of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and quantum technology in urban governance, and expand exchanges that promote mutual understanding and friendship.

pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn