Chongqing - For the first time, the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance is held in the inland metropolis of Chongqing. From October 27 to 29, the southwestern city hosts the event launched by China to promote sustainable urban development.
Chongqing's landscape. (Photo/Zheng Ran)
World Cities Day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2013, is the first international day focused on urbanization. Since 2014, global host events have taken place in countries such as the United Kingdom, Egypt, and Russia. China Observance has previously been held in coastal cities like Shanghai, Fuzhou, and Weihai. This year's global event took place in Bogotá, Colombia.
Why choose Chongqing? Among more than 13,800 cities worldwide, Chongqing stands out for its scale and unique geography. It is China’s largest municipality by area and population, spanning urban, rural, mountainous, and reservoir regions. Its diverse landscape makes it a valuable reference for cities around the world.
Located in the parallel mountain valleys of eastern Sichuan- one of the three major parallel ridge-valley systems on Earth- Chongqing's urban topography is defined by steep hills, winding rivers, and compact development. The Yangtze and Jialing rivers intersect through the city's core, creating a distinct "mountain and river" landscape that shapes everything from transportation to urban planning.
Chongqing’s growth underscores its strategic importance to China. The city is a key hub in the Western Development Strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Together, these national strategies position Chongqing as a vital inland gateway for global trade and cooperation.
In the heart of downtown Chongqing, the Minzhu Village in Jiulongpo District exemplifies China's people-centered approach to urban renewal. Once an aging neighborhood, it has transformed into a vibrant area blending heritage, commerce, and community life.
According to local authorities, Chongqing has renovated nearly 10,000 old residential communities like Minzhu Village. These projects emphasize public participation, with residents consulted through courtyard meetings, surveys, and workshops to help shape renovation plans. The approach reflects the broader "people build the city, the city serves the people" philosophy underpinning China's urban governance.
To enhance daily life, Chongqing is promoting a "15-minute high-quality living circle," ensuring that residents can access public services, cultural spaces, retail, and housing within a short walk. This initiative aims to balance rapid modernization with livability and inclusiveness.
Chongqing's modernization drive also relies on digital governance. The city has built a three-tier digital urban operation and management system, covering municipal, district, and sub-district levels. The system integrates data on infrastructure, public safety, emergency response, and environmental monitoring under a unified digital city brain.
Officials say the platform connects over 340 applications and operates under an eight-part structure covering economic growth, social governance, emergency response, and ecological management. During 2024's record heatwaves and heavy rains, the system provided real-time data and early warnings, enabling timely coordination across departments and minimizing disaster impact.
In addition, the "Yukuaiban" system has become a flagship of administrative efficiency. It consolidates multiple government services- including birth registration, school enrollment, and utility setup- into a single online platform. The system has reduced average processing time by 78% and paperwork by 73%, according to municipal data.