The China-UK Workshop on Smart Cities opens in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on July 16. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

A China-UK workshop on smart cities convened in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on July 16, with 30 experts and representatives from the two countries sharing insights into their achievements and experiences in smart city construction.

Topics covered include the technology application of smart city development, the role of smart city standards, urban sustainable development and future communities.

Pan Yunhe, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that the discussion of smart cities has aroused widespread interest around the world, and the United Kingdom is one of the early players in smart city construction who improved the intelligence level of cities with a number of related projects.

China and the UK share common interests and have strong potential for cooperation in smart city construction, Pan further added.

David Thomlinson, chair of the International Committee of the Royal Academy of Engineering, addresses the China-UK Workshop on Smart Cities in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on July 16. [Photo/chinanews.com.cn]

David Thomlinson, chair of the International Committee of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said that he hopes the two countries can achieve fruitful results and forge partnerships to overcome challenges and build global livable cities.

Over the past several years, Yuhang district has been spearheading the nation's digital economy with a focus on three major paths - industrialization of digital resources, digitalization of industries, and digitalization of cities, said Zhang Zhenfeng, Party secretary of Yuhang district.

The workshop was co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Royal Academy of Engineering.