Key Takeaways
- Guangzhou received the “City Award” and “Energy & Environment Award” at the 2025 Smart City Expo World Congress.
- The city stands out for its innovative digital transformation and sustainable urban governance among 47 competitors.
- Guangzhou’s initiatives align with China’s focus on developing efficient smart cities and support the Greater Bay Area’s economic growth.
Guangzhou’s Smart City Achievements
On September 4, Guangzhou was honored with both the “City Award” and the “Energy & Environment Award” during the 2025 Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC). This recognition highlights the city’s effective integration of technology into urban governance and commitment to sustainable development. Competing against 47 cities and 152 submitted cases across China, Guangzhou emerged as the frontrunner.
The SCEWC is the premier global exhibition dedicated to smart urban development and has been held annually since 2011. The “City Award,” described as the “Oscars” of the smart city industry, is a prestigious accolade awarded to only one city each year.
Central to Guangzhou’s recognition is its vision of a “resilient, thinking city” achieved through a comprehensive digital transformation strategy. The city employs advanced digital infrastructure, data-driven decision-making, and an AI-powered management system acting as its central command hub. This innovative approach aims to foster a smart city while adhering to a people-centric philosophy. Notable projects include a digitized power grid that enhances efficiency, reduces carbon emissions, and supports a greener urban ecology.
At the Congress, Guangzhou presented an impressive exhibition hall detailing collaborations with significant technology and state-owned enterprises such as China Telecom, Huawei, and the Southern Power Grid Guangdong Guangzhou Power Supply Bureau. The showcases underscored real-time data management systems and low-carbon energy solutions, captivating representatives from 25 Asian countries and regions.
The awards given to Guangzhou reflect China’s broader commitment to promoting “efficient and convenient smart cities” as a principal urban policy focus. Recognized as a national central city and the driving force of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou has taken the lead in provincial smart city reforms. Its digital transformation initiative was recently recognized among China’s top 50 exemplary projects, further solidifying its position as a model for urban innovation.
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