Recently, Renmin University of China and Chongqing University jointly released the "China City International Network Image Index Report (2025)". The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the international network image of 106 major cities across China, focusing on three dimensions: international communication capacity, international influence, and international recognition.
The report indicates that the international network image of China's major cities overall exhibits a development trend characterized by "scale-driven growth, regional collaboration, and distinctive breakthroughs." Megacities continue to lead nationwide, leveraging their strong resource agglomeration capabilities and comprehensive competitive advantages. Eastern cities fully utilize their geographical strengths and developmental foundations, playing a significant leading role in shaping their international network image. Cities such as Fuzhou (a hometown for overseas Chinese), Yiwu (the "world's supermarket"), and Qingdao (a port resort and tourism city) have stood out in China's urban international network image indicator system with their distinct and unique image labels, becoming representative examples of effective international urban communication.
The report notes that successful narratives of city network images are shifting from showcasing macro-level achievements, such as economic output and skyscrapers, toward offering perceptible, participatory, and shareable personal experiences. This includes unique regional cultural experiences and cutting-edge lifestyle scenarios, making city network images increasingly "lifestyle-oriented" and "scenario-based." This suggests that in the global public opinion arena, compelling "good stories" and resonant "good experiences" often generate greater emotional resonance and word-of-mouth effects than mere population size.
On the day of the conference, academic experts from various universities and research institutions, alongside representatives from multiple cities, jointly explored new pathways to enhance the international network image of cities.
Translated by Aria
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