A forum of world city mayors has opened in Ningbo, China

On November 3, 2026, the grand opening ceremony of the international forum 'World Mayors Dialogue — Ningbo 2026' began in the Chinese city of Ningbo. The event is discussing issues of sustainable development of metropolises, global governance, and the strengthening of interregional cooperation, as reported by a NEWS.am correspondent from the scene.

Secretary of the Ningbo Municipal Committee of the CPC, Wang Chen, stated at the opening that the port serves as the city's main asset, and openness is its primary competitive advantage. He noted that Ningbo's gross regional product reached 2.62 trillion yuan in 2025, thanks to which the city ranked eleventh among the largest economic centers of mainland China. The leader emphasized the steady growth of foreign trade turnover and recalled that Ningbo was awarded the status of a model city within the framework of the 'Safe China' state program.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Xinhua News Agency, Chen Kaisin, emphasized in his welcoming remarks the importance of coordinated actions against the backdrop of global challenges. According to him, no city today is capable of coping with the challenges of the era alone, which is why large urban agglomerations remain a key pillar of the international economy and governance. The agency representative assured that Xinhua will continue to support cross-border dialogue between global centers.

Mayor of Auckland, New Zealand, Wayne Brown, drew attention to the long-standing friendly ties with Ningbo and the significant contribution of the Chinese diaspora to the economy of his metropolis. He reported that out of Auckland's two-million population, about three hundred thousand are ethnic Chinese, whose business activity provides a powerful impetus to the city's development. Brown also expressed deep respect for China's economic achievements over the last three decades and recalled the publication of his book in Chinese.