Diplomats explore technology advances in Jiangsu

Thirty diplomats and envoys from 20 countries visited Suzhou and Nanjing, Jiangsu province, from Wednesday to Friday last week to learn about the latest developments in technology and urban governance in the two cities.

The visit was part of the "Explore People-Centered Cities: China's Governance, Global Engagement (Shanghai and Jiangsu)" event, which began on Monday and was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the governments of Shanghai and Jiangsu.

The delegation's first stop in Jiangsu was Suzhou Yunsheng Qianli Low-Altitude Industry Operation Co in Wuzhong district of Suzhou. At the company's exhibition hall, the visitors saw a range of drones and robots powered by artificial intelligence and learned how the technologies are being used in urban management.

One of the highlights was a fully autonomous drone inspection system. The system uses drones to collect information from the air and combines it with data from the ground, helping authorities manage certain areas of Suzhou more efficiently.

"What I've seen today is quite remarkable. We see how much AI and technology have advanced, and how they can be used for the benefit of the citizens," said Koula Sophianou, ambassador of Cyprus to China.

Sophianou said she learned that drones can detect forest fires at an early stage and quickly alert authorities, allowing them to take action.

"We've seen that there are more and more forest fires everywhere in the world because of climate change, so the early detection is very important," she said, adding that the drones are a good example of how advances in science and technology can help protect the environment and ensure public safety.

Tonata Itenge-Emvula, Namibia's ambassador to China, said the most appealing aspect of such technologies for her country is their ability to deliver services directly to people.

The technologies can help emergency responders react more quickly in situations such as medical rescues and firefighting, enabling cities and governments to provide more timely and efficient public services, she said.

The delegation, which included participants from countries such as Belarus, Spain, Bangladesh, Latvia, New Zealand and Thailand, also visited Suzhou Industrial Park, the Humble Administrator's Garden and Jinji Lake.

At Suzhou Industrial Park, the visitors learned how the area was transformed from low-lying farmland and ponds into a modern industrial center. Exhibits featuring products from industries such as high-end equipment manufacturing, information technology, advanced materials and biomedicine provided them with a closer look at the park's industrial transformation and innovation-driven development.

During a forum on urban governance, ambassadors and diplomats exchanged views with Chinese officials on ecological protection and sustainable development, the use of digital technology to improve city management, and the preservation of historical heritage while renewing older urban areas.

Md Nazmul Islam, Bangladesh's ambassador to China, said Suzhou has developed effective ways to turn new technologies into practical tools for addressing challenges such as environmental protection and emergency response.

The experience provides useful lessons for Bangladesh as it advances its own digital development, he said.

On Thursday and Friday, the delegation also visited the Qinhuai River, Jiangsu International Data Port and the Xuanwu large model factory in Nanjing, the provincial capital.

Xin Changxing, secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, met with the delegation in Nanjing. He said the event had created new opportunities for Jiangsu to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the participating countries.

"We will continue to advance high-level opening-up, further deepen economic and trade ties with relevant nations, boost mutual learning on urban governance experience, foster closer people-to-people exchanges, and pursue mutually beneficial results and common development," he said.

Marta Betanzos Roig, ambassador of Spain to China, said that during the visit, every place the delegation toured was livable, business-friendly and vibrant, and that she gained fresh insights into Jiangsu's cultural heritage and urban development.