The Launch Ceremony of the World Mayors China Tour takes place on Oct 16 in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Launch Ceremony of the World Mayors China Tour was held on Oct 16 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, with more than 10 mayors and local government representatives from nine countries in attendance.

The event was jointly organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Fujian Provincial People's Government.

During their stay in Fujian, the delegation attended the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Local Government Cooperation and International Friendship Cities Dialogue. Participants exchanged views on urban governance, green and low-carbon development, economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges, and heritage protection.

After their Fujian itinerary, the delegation will travel to Xi'an, Shaanxi province, to attend the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference.

Yang Wanming, president of CPAFFC, said the tour would use exchanges between cities to foster dialogue among local governments worldwide.

Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, secretary-general of UCLG ASPAC, noted the two organizations' longstanding cooperation. She said local government exchanges were an important part of multilateral cooperation and that the tour would give city leaders a firsthand look at China's development.

Zhao Zenglian, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee and vice-governor of Fujian, expressed his hope that the initiative would lead to closer cooperation in urban governance, green development, trade, scientific and technological innovation, and cultural exchanges.