City’s Heritage-Tech Blend Wins Urban Innovation Recognition

The coastal metropolis of Qingdao, China, solidified its reputation as a beacon of progressive urban governance this weekend, hosting a landmark gathering of international leaders. The Global Mayors Dialogue Qingdao brought together city chiefs from across China and eight nations, transforming the Shandong province hub into a crucible for sharing solutions on sustainable development, heritage revitalization, and cross-cultural partnership.

City’s Heritage-Tech Blend Wins Urban Innovation Recognition

Held under the banner of shared culture and tourism, the event saw mayors and senior officials from Japan, South Korea, Greece, Cambodia, Nigeria, Belarus, and beyond converge in Qingdao. Discussions centered on harnessing marine tourism potential, breathing new life into historic urban districts, and leveraging cultural exchanges as a bedrock for mutual understanding and economic growth. Qingdao itself served as a living case study, demonstrating its successful blend of cutting-edge technology with deep respect for its heritage.

International Leaders Praise Qingdao’s Model

Delegates were particularly impressed by Qingdao’s practical achievements. Sok Phea, Deputy Governor of Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province, lauded the Qingdao Port, operated by Shandong Port Group, as a global leader. “The fact that it is a smart and green port makes it a strong model for us to learn from,” Phea stated, as reported in event coverage. He emphasized plans to adopt Qingdao-inspired digital and sustainable solutions to transform Preah Sihanouk into a future-ready logistics and tourism center.

From Nigeria, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government of Lagos, highlighted Qingdao’s industrial prowess. She expressed keen interest in potential vocational education cooperation, viewing it as an “effective pathway for Lagos to acquire advanced technologies and AI expertise,” signaling a focus on human capital development alongside technological transfer.

Culture and Tourism: Bridges to Peace and Prosperity

The forum consistently underscored the vital role of cultural and tourism links in fostering global harmony. Vladimir Kukharev, Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee in Belarus, articulated this shared vision: “International cooperation in culture and tourism is a key factor in strengthening connections and understanding among nations.” He noted that such partnerships are not merely economic drivers but essential pillars for “promoting peace and friendship, helping to build a stable and harmonious society.”

Qingdao’s Commitment to Global Collaboration

Qingdao Mayor Ren Gang seized the platform to reinforce the city’s dedication to international exchange. He pledged to use the dialogue as a springboard to “expand practical cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy,” aiming to make local-level interactions “more distinctive and impactful in strengthening international ties.” This commitment positions Qingdao as an active player in shaping the future of global urban networks.

The event concluded with a shared resolve among participants to translate the dialogue into concrete action, leveraging Qingdao’s demonstrated successes in smart ports, heritage integration, and green initiatives as blueprints for sustainable urban futures worldwide.

Must Know: Global Mayors Dialogue Qingdao

1. What was the theme of the Global Mayors Dialogue Qingdao?
   The event centered on “celebrating culture and tourism together,” fostering discussions on marine tourism, historic area revitalization, and international cultural exchange as pathways to mutual understanding and economic development.
2. Which countries participated in the Qingdao forum?
   Mayors and officials attended from China and eight other nations: Japan, South Korea, Greece, Cambodia, Nigeria, Belarus, and others (specifics mentioned included Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia; Lagos, Nigeria; Minsk, Belarus).
3. What aspects of Qingdao were highlighted as models?
   International delegates specifically praised Qingdao Port for its “smart and green” operations, cited by Cambodia’s Sok Phea as a model for sustainable logistics. Qingdao’s manufacturing strengths and potential for vocational education cooperation were also noted by Nigeria’s Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin.
4. Why is cultural/tourism cooperation emphasized at such events?
   As Belarus’s Vladimir Kukharev stated, it’s seen as a “key factor in strengthening connections and understanding among nations,” driving not only economic growth but also promoting peace, friendship, and societal stability.
5. What is Qingdao’s commitment following the dialogue?
   Mayor Ren Gang pledged to use the platform to expand practical cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy, aiming to make local-level international interactions more impactful.
6. What makes Qingdao a relevant host for this dialogue?
   Qingdao serves as a practical example, successfully integrating technological innovation (like its smart port) with heritage preservation and green development, making its urban governance strategies highly relevant for global peers.