A humanoid robot developed in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone interacts with participants at the ongoing 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Chengdu in Sichuan province on Wednesday. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]
City leaders attending the ongoing 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Chengdu in Sichuan province have been struck by the city's cutting-edge technology and creative vitality, with many expressing strong interest in future cooperation.
The event, which opened on Wednesday, brings together representatives from 32 cities in 26 countries and five international organizations for exchanges aimed at promoting mutual learning between cities in China and counterparts around the world.
Vito Episcopo, deputy mayor of Granada, Spain, tries out a pair of smart glasses capable of real-time translation at Tiexiang Temple Riverfront in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Wednesday. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]
While sipping tea in a traditional teahouse at Tiexiang Temple Riverfront in Chengdu Hi-Tech Zone, Ursula Sautter, deputy mayor of Bonn, Germany, noticed a locally developed humanoid robot designed to replicate emotive interaction.
"It's fascinating," said Sautter, adding that it was her first time seeing a humanoid robot with a vivid, expressive face.
A participant at the ongoing 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Chengdu interacts with a humanoid robot in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Wednesday. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]
"In Germany, robots are mainly used in fields such as medical services and automobile production," she said, adding that she hoped universities in her city could engage in joint robotics research with Chinese partners.
Vito Episcopo, deputy mayor of Granada, Spain, was particularly impressed by a pair of smart glasses capable of real-time translation.
Participants at the ongoing 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Chengdu visit a startup that uses AI to produce short dramas at Tianfu Changdao Digital Cultural and Creative Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]
Putting on the glasses, Episcopo spoke Spanish to a Chinese-speaking staff member — and they had no problem understanding each other.
"It's so impressive," he said, adding that he had exchanged WeChat details with the staff member so that he could introduce the technology to Spain.
"Our city welcomes a large number of tourists from around the world, so we are in need of such technology," Episcopo said.
A participant at the ongoing 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Chengdu photographs an unmanned patrol vehicle at Tiexiang Temple Riverfront in Chengdu, Sichuan province. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]
Marcos Toscano, executive secretary of Institutional Relations of Recife, Brazil, said he was impressed by how masterfully Chengdu balances technology with tradition.
"Our city also excels in creative economy, game design and animation, and we want to learn from and engage in exchanges with Chengdu in these fields," he said.
