Chengdu, a city nestled in China’s Sichuan Province, recently hosted international journalists from across the Asia-Pacific region. They had come as part of the “Travelogue of China” program, a multilateral cultural exchange initiative. The delegation, representing 13 countries, was left astounded by Chengdu’s advanced strides in smart city construction, watershed management, and ecological endeavors.
Marie-Noelle Waiane, director of the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation, expressed her eagerness to convey the city’s achievements back to her home country’s leadership. She commended the hospitality and warmth of the Chinese people she encountered.
Chengdu stands as a testament to China’s vision of integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance urban development. Smart cities aim to amalgamate different sectors using the internet of things and sensor-driven technologies. This makes city services more efficient and enriches the quality of life for its citizens. By 2012, China had already started pilot programs for smart city development, and Chengdu’s achievements spotlight the country’s commitment.
A notable highlight for the journalists was Chengdu’s watershed management system, crucial for the city that thrives beside the Jinjiang River. The ecological preservation and enhancement efforts have successfully countered water scarcity concerns while balancing economic growth.
One technological marvel that stood out was an intelligent aquatic robot cleaner, designed to manage refuse and debris in the river. Although still in the testing phase, its capacity to outperform manual cleaning methods was evident. Another symbol of the improved ecological health of the Jinjiang River was the presence of egrets, birds known to inhabit areas with superior air and water quality.
As the group visited the Chengdu Smart Water Center, they were introduced to the advanced data-sharing platform. This facility processes vast amounts of data concerning the water management of the region. The platform is an integral component of the city’s water administration, collating data from diverse sources to ensure efficient water resource management.
Reporters were not just impressed by the technological achievements but also the sustainable ecological enhancements in the city. Birat Gautam, a Nepali journalist, admired China’s dedication to a green and sustainable future, emphasizing that a greener China contributes to a more beautiful world.
The Chengdu model, particularly in water management, resonated with many reporters. Ali Abbas from Pakistan and Tan Xiao Ren from Malaysia found insights that could be relevant and beneficial for their home countries, facing their own unique environmental challenges.
This visit emphasized that Chengdu, and by extension China, is not just looking inward but aiming to provide globally relevant solutions and models, especially in urban development and environmental sustainability.
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