From December 18 to 19, the 2024 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints was successfully held, bringing together representatives from several of Beijing’s sister cities. Take a look at what they’ve shared!

Andreas Grammatikogiannis

Deputy Mayor of Athens, Greece

According to Andreas Grammatikogiannis, Deputy Mayor of Athens, Greece, the forum provided an excellent platform for exchanging experience on how government departments serve citizens. The forum and exhibitions held over the past few days have left him a deep impression. Through the 12345 hotline, Beijing helps its citizens address various issues with professional services, demonstrating the government’s respect for public concerns. He plans to bring back Beijing’s practical experience in this regard to Athens. As 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Beijing and Athens, he hopes that both cities will seize the opportunity to strengthen exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in areas such as urban governance, economy and trade, and culture.

Dahianna Marín Chacón

Representative of Mayor of San José, Costa Rica

Dahianna Marín Chacón, Representative of Mayor of San José, Costa Rica, stated that during the forum, their delegation gained valuable insights from Beijing’s experience in the modernized governance of megacities, which provides important references for San José. Beijing’s practices in public concern resolution, waste classification and recycling, wastewater treatment, and clean energy promotion can be replicated and will contribute to the development of cities and the well-being of citizens. As the capital of Costa Rica, San José is pleased to be invited to this forum to share experience in waste sorting, resource recycling, and public security management, and engage in discussions with city representatives and urban governance experts from around the world.

Inmaculada Sánchez-Cervera Valdés

General Coordinator of the Mayor’s Office of Madrid, Spain

Inmaculada Sánchez-Cervera Valdés, General Coordinator of the Mayor’s Office of Madrid, Spain, highlighted that during the forum, it was very inspiring for her to communicate with representatives from major cities worldwide on urban governance and discuss common challenges and solutions. Beijing’s rich historical heritage, modern vitality, and the hospitality and friendliness of its citizens left her with a memorable impression. Madrid attaches great importance to its sister-city relationship with Beijing. As the two cities celebrate the 40th anniversary of this relationship in 2025, she hopes to see more high-level exchanges, which will further solidify the sister-city ties, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, tourism, and urban governance.