China pioneers digital, green growth

More than 300 representatives from 17 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and South Korea, gathered in Tianjin on Sunday for the 2025 Tianjin Forum to explore innovative ideas and effective pathways for technology-driven urban development.

During the forum, Nankai University's think tanks released several reports, including the Urban Dual-Digital and Green Transformation for Sustainable Development. Based on data from over 2,000 Chinese digital enterprises, the report highlighted digital technology as a key driver of China's sustainable development and outlined how the country is at the forefront of global digital economy growth.

Guo Huadong, an academician and director of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, shared research using satellite data and artificial intelligence to assess progress on the United Nations'2030 Sustainable Development Goals. He said global progress has been modest, with only about 18 percent of targets met over the past nine years, while China has achieved nearly 60 percent of the assessed indicators.

Gong Ke, executive president of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, said the extensive application of artificial intelligence and big data in infrastructure planning, smart transportation, energy management and healthcare has significantly enhanced urban operational efficiency through the integration of technology and practical scenarios.

"China and Europe are two major markets driving the green economy concept. Therefore, there is huge potential for cooperation, especially in technological innovation and sustainability standard setting," said Dirk Messner, president of the German Environment Agency. He emphasized the importance of academic and technological collaboration between the two regions, calling China "a pioneer in digital infrastructure investment".

Gong, who is also the former president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, underscored the importance of a people-oriented approach to smart city development.

"Our core focus is on enhancing the human experience. By integrating general-purpose technologies like AI with specific needs in transportation and healthcare, we aim to achieve efficiency, low carbon emissions and improved public satisfaction," he said.

The Tianjin Forum, established in 2015 and held biennially, has convened five sessions to date. This week also marks the 106th anniversary of Nankai University, one of the forum's organizers.

Over the past decade, the Tianjin Forum has focused on urban development and governance, creating an important platform for interdisciplinary and international academic exchange and cooperation, said Chen Yulu, president of Nankai University.

"We hope to continue providing Chinese solutions and global insights for urban development worldwide," Chen said.

Wang Xu, Tianjin vice-mayor, said the city has vigorously promoted technological and industrial innovation and urban renewal in recent years, emphasizing innovation-driven and green transformation.

"The successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was highly praised by foreign guests and the international community," Wang said. "Tianjin will proactively embrace new opportunities brought by technological and industrial revolutions and actively address the ensuing challenges to advance urban modernization."

Pang Ranxin contributed to this story.