On the afternoon of September 17, ZGC Forum-UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summit, themed “Creativity empowers cities, technology creates the future”, kicked off at the Shougang Industrial Park. Chen Jining, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing, delivered a speech via video.

According to Chen, held amid the new challenges brought by the COVID-19 epidemic to city development, the summit, which focuses on how cultural creativity and technological innovations empower cities, is sure to inspire new ideas and inject new impetus into city development. He also said that Beijing, as the cultural center and scientific and technological innovation center of China, would balance COVID-19 prevention and control with economic and social development, and grow into a more vibrant and charming city; Beijing, which has always put people at the center, would improve urban security, strengthen its public health system and accelerate the building of a safe, healthy and green city suitable for working and living. Leveraging digital technologies and creative designs to empower the city, Beijing would drive economic growth with new technologies such as AI and big data, and foster more new products, and new business forms and models. While attracting top talent by creating a favorable environment, the city would improve intellectual property protection and application and create a more dynamic innovation ecosystem. Beijing would promote common development through exchanges and cooperation, do more to build the national integrated demonstration zone for greater openness in the service sector and the pilot free trade zone, and continuously enhance its international influence in cultural creativity and technological innovation.

Two successful UNESCO Creative Cities Beijing Summits have been held. This year's two-day event features both online and offline attendees. They will have discussions on a wide range of topics, including exploring application scenarios for new infrastructure with technology and design, strengthening cooperation between international cities, sharing best ideas and practices, and improving city governance efficiency.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Chinese Vice Minister of Education Zheng Fuzhi and Mayor of Helsinki Jan Vapaavuori delivered speeches at the event. UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone Ramirez launched a collection of case studies of creative cities fighting COVID-19. Vice Mayor of Beijing Zhang Jiandong announced the opening of the summit.

(by Gao Zhi)