国内英语新闻:China Focus: World Cities Day 2020 celebrated across China

FUZHOU/SHANGHAI, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese cities including Fuzhou and Shanghai on Saturday held activities in celebration of the seventh World Cities Day.

Themed "Valuing Our Communities and Cities," this year's events had government officials, experts and community representatives from home and abroad sharing their experience and practices in promoting high-quality urban development and improving people's living environment.

The World Cities Day was proposed by the Chinese government in the Shanghai Declaration of the World Expo 2010. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly later designated Oct. 31 as World Cities Day by a resolution.

The Day is expected to promote the international community's interest in global urbanization, push forward cooperation in meeting opportunities and addressing challenges, and contributing to sustainable urban development around the world.

Jiang Wanrong, vice minister of housing and urban-rural development, said in a speech that since its establishment, the World Cities Day has enjoyed growing global influence and played an important role in promoting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and New Urban Agenda.

China will continue to deepen cooperation with other countries in housing and urban-rural construction, and exchange practical experience and innovative ideas to build better cities and communities, Jiang said at a ceremony held in Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian Province.

The 2020 annual report of the Shanghai Manual, a practical guide for sustainable urban development, was published Saturday in Shanghai as one of the World Cities Day events.

The report has selected 20 exemplary best practices around the world based on studies of their socio-economic, eco environmental and cultural development, as well as urban governance and international cooperation.

Five Chinese cases were included in this year's report, including two in Shanghai and each in Xiamen, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

Established in 2011, the Shanghai Manual has played an increasingly important role in supporting the efforts of mayors and urban administrators in advancing sustainable urban development.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif, UN under-secretary-general and executive director of UN-Habitat, said COVID-19 has affected people's work and life around the world, but it also shows people how communities can make cities more resilient.

Urban development will be more sustainable if community-level integration is better achieved, Sharif said.