(28 October 2026 | M-Plenary Hall, VIC)

Distinguished Director General Mr. Gerd Müller,

Distinguished Mayors and guests,

Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues and friends,

It is a great honour for me to attend the 2026 Bridge for Cities annual event.

On behalf of the Permanent Mission of China, I would like to extend my warm congratulations on the opening of this event and a warm welcome to all guests. This year marks the 11th edition of Bridge for Cities. This project was originally designed as an exchange platform among cities along the Belt and Road. A decade later, it has evolved itself into a global forum for urban development and governance.

Urban development is a common priority as well as a common challenge for all countries and governments. Global South urgently need to learn from good practices around the world, adapted to their own national conditions. Global North is rich in experience, but also face new tests. Here, on this platform, we can exchange ideas, share expertise, and strengthen cooperation.

Colleagues and friends,

Urban development and urbanization are integral to Chinese modernization. Since reform and opening-up, over half a century, China has experienced the largest and fastest urbanization in human history. This has fostered innovative, open, and smart cities, each with its own character—reflecting the dynamism and vitality of Chinese modernization.

The Chinese government gives high priority to sustainable urban development. This May, we launched the 15th Five-Year Plan for Urban Renewal, aiming to build modern, people-centered cities that are innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally vibrant, and smart. The Plan identifies six key tasks, including new drivers of urban development, high-quality living spaces, and green, low-carbon transformation.

Within the UN framework, China actively supports the World Urban Forum, World Cities Day, and other efforts to implement the New Urban Agenda. We have published a National Report reviewing our policies and practices in sustainable urban development. Aligned with this year’s Bridge for Cities theme, the Report offers useful experience for Global South countries pursuing sustainable urbanization.

Over the past 11 years, 14 Chinese cities have participated in Bridge for Cities events. This year, we are delighted to have Xi’an and Hong Kong to join us. We look forward to their stories of urban development, construction, and governance. Moving forward, I believe that more Chinese cities, big and small, will join this platform and share their experiences with the world.

Colleagues and friends,

This year’s theme is “AI and Green Innovation: Powering a Sustainable Future.” We hope participants will exchange experiences, explore innovative solutions, and work together to make our cities more livable and sustainable.

Allow me to share three thoughts.

First, innovation should help bridge development gaps, expand opportunities and improve people's lives.

The real value of AI and other state of the art technologies lies in what they bring to people's everyday life—cleaner air, smoother transport, safer jobs, and better opportunities. But technology alone is not enough. We also need skills and capacity-building. And we must make sure no one is left behind: developing countries, cities big and small, and SMEs should all share in the benefits of progress.

Second, the green transition should open new pathways to prosperity.

By saving energy, producing cleaner products, using more renewables, and recycling resources, cities and industries can grow together—and greener means stronger. China’s experience shows the power of long-term planning, infrastructure investment, and steady innovation. But every country is different. We should support each nation in choosing a development path that fits its own conditions and priorities.

Third, international cooperation must deliver tangible results.

Bridge for Cities helps cities find partners and resources. South-South and triangular cooperation, North-South exchanges turn shared aspirations into joint action. UNIDO has an unique and key role to play in this process. I hope today’s discussions will lead to concrete projects—and bring innovative solutions to cities of all sizes in more countries around the world.

Colleagues and friends,

The Bridge for Cities series demonstrates the vital contribution and practical value of cooperation between China, UNIDO and its Member States. It also provides a concrete example of how we can put into practice President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four Global Initiatives, particularly the Global Development Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, as well as the Belt & Road Initiative.

On the occation of UNIDO’s 60th anniversary, let us keep building on Bridge for Cities — leveraging UNIDO’s platform and technical expertise — to turn our shared vision into real action, and make our cities greener, more sustainable, and more innovative, contributing to stronger, greener and healthier global development.

I wish the 2026 Bridge for Cities event every success!

Thank you.