On Oct. 28, the United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) Urban Development Dialogue was held in Haikou. Over 100 guests, including local government officials from China and ASEAN member states, gathered to explore approaches to urban governance and industrial development in the era of artificial intelligence.

"Artificial intelligence is transforming the way cities are governed. We must accelerate the application of technology to improve people's livelihoods," said Faustino Dy, Mayor of Echague Municipality, Isabela Province, the Philippines. He emphasized that amidst the rapid advancement of AI, urban administrators must pay particular attention to equity, ensuring that "no community is left behind".

Yustinus Prastowo, Deputy Coordinator of the Advisors to the Governor of Jakarta, Indonesia, noted that AI can help governments enhance the accessibility of public services and strengthen urban resilience. To this end, Jakarta has integrated digital services with citizen feedback channels, establishing a unified urban service platform that enables different government departments to collaborate in analyzing and addressing issues.

On the same day, the 2026 Haikou Dialogue with ASEAN Consulates General & Asia Pacific Business Matchmaking Event was also held in Haikou. Centered around the theme “Connecting Markets, Shaping Opportunities’, the event brought together around 150 participants, including officials from ASEAN consulates general based in Guangzhou and Haikou, representatives from UCLG Asia-Pacific, and figures from Haikou’s government and business sectors to discuss cooperation and pursue shared development.