Participants of the 10th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference pose for a group photo. [Photo/The 10th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference]

The 10th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference opened on Nov 5 in Zhejiang province, bringing together mayors, council speakers, and city representatives from 27 cities in 18 countries, as well as diplomats, international organization officials, and Chinese representatives.

Liu Fei, secretary of the Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee, said Hangzhou had established sister-city ties with 31 international cities and friendly exchange relations with 53 others. He called for deeper cooperation with international partners in AI innovation, trade, institutional opening-up, and cultural exchanges to support high-quality and sustainable urban development.

Hangzhou Mayor Du Xuliang outlined the city's efforts to become a leading center for AI innovation. He highlighted Hangzhou's open-source AI ecosystem, innovation and entrepreneurship environment, and international cooperation network, inviting global talent, projects, and businesses to invest in the city while calling for the wider sharing of AI advancements.

The opening ceremony also featured speeches by representatives from international friendship organizations and partner cities, the signing of friendship and cooperation agreements, and the release of the forum's initiative.