2025 Chongqing Forum on Global Communication of Chinese Cities Opens, Shaping Urban Global Dialogue
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.
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.
Following the speeches, three major international communication initiatives were launched, injecting new momentum into Chongqing’s global outreach:
Western China's Melody Joint Project
Chongqing Gen Z Global Makers Alliance
AIGC Application Platform Construction Project
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.
