Chongqing - The 2025 Chongqing Forum on Global Communication of Chinese Cities opened on July 18 at the Western China International Communication Organization, bringing together over 150 experts from government, international organizations, media think tanks, and tech companies. The forum aimed to explore new avenues for urban global communication through high-level dialogues, project launches, and case studies.

The forum, themed "New Opportunities and Challenges in Urban International Communication," follows a "1+3+N" format: the morning's opening ceremony and main forum, three afternoon breakout sessions, and a year-long series of think tank dialogues, aiming to establish a comprehensive platform for global communication.

In her opening speech, Zhang Qiong, Deputy Director-General, Publicity Department of CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, emphasized that as the only municipality directly under the central government in western China, Chongqing bears a vital responsibility in building an inland hub for opening up. She noted that the city will leverage the forum to further integrate international communication into its urban development.

Zhang Qiong, Deputy Director-General, Publicity Department of CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, delivered a speech at the 2025 Chongqing Forum on Global Communication of Chinese Cities on July 18. (Photo/ WCICO)

Fabio Schina, Consul General of Italy in Chongqing, praised the city’s international communication dynamism. He highlighted how Chongqing’s iconic “8D magic city” and layered skyline have made it a trending topic on global social media. He also noted that four direct flights between China and Italy each week, along with Italy's inclusion in China’s visa-free travel list, are boosting exchanges between the two countries.

Fabio Schina, Consul General of Italy in Chongqing, delivered a speech at the 2025 Chongqing Forum on Global Communication of Chinese Cities on July 18. (Photo/ WCICO)

Following the speeches, three major international communication initiatives were launched, injecting new momentum into Chongqing’s global outreach:

• Western China's Melody Joint Project
  Scheduled to begin filming in Chongqing at the end of July, this project will feature international music artist Hedegaard and explore western regions of China—including Yunnan, Tibet, Chongqing, Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Guangxi, and Guizhou—showcasing the region’s new development, modern lifestyles, and cultural vibrancy.

• Chongqing Gen Z Global Makers Alliance
  This initiative will tap into the creativity and innovation of Gen Z, fostering cultural and creative exchanges between young people in China and around the world.

• AIGC Application Platform Construction Project
  Jointly developed by the Western China International Communication Organization and Tencent Cloud, this project will leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the precision and efficiency of international communication, building an intelligent system for content creation and global distribution.

Additionally, a ceremony was held to inaugurate the Chongqing International Communication Base for the CPC’s Innovative Theories. The base aims to support the global expression of the Party’s theoretical innovations and promote Chinese wisdom through the lens of Chongqing to international audiences.