HARBIN, China, Jan. 07, 2026 — The “Global Mayors Dialogue · Harbin” convened from January 6-8, 2026, in China’s renowned “Ice City,” Harbin. The event was guided by the State Council Information Office and co-hosted by the Information Office of Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Government and Harbin Municipal People’s Government, with Harbin Daily as an executive organizer. By positioning the city as a showcase for China’s potential and mayors as facilitators for sharing governance expertise, the dialogue sought to enhance inter-city learning, bolster sister-city partnerships, and advance economic, trade, and cultural interactions, offering the world a genuine view of China’s appeal and prospects. This international winter assembly highlighted Harbin’s strategy of turning its unique ice-and-snow culture and economy into engines for high-quality growth and conduits for increased openness.
Attendees included mayors, deputy mayors, and representatives from cities worldwide such as Edmonton (Canada), Rovaniemi (Finland), Magdeburg (Germany), Chalandri (Greece), Bucheon (Republic of Korea), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality (Republic of Türkiye). Focusing on core topics like the sustainable growth of the ice-and-snow economy and global collaboration routes, innovation in urban public governance, tech-driven expansion of the winter economy, and building “ice-and-snow IP,” the program included a main dialogue and immersive sharing sessions to encourage thorough discussion and generate fresh perspectives. Via this “Ice City window,” delegates observed Chinese cities actively building a complete ice-and-snow industry chain while harmonizing ecological conservation with economic progress, and investigated future directions for high-quality urban development in cold regions.
The gathering emphasized both theoretical discussion and tangible collaboration. Participants toured landmark locations including Harbin Ice-Snow World, Central Street, and the Harbin Institute of Technology Aerospace Museum. They engaged in ice sculpting, interactive curling, and hands-on intangible cultural heritage activities, gaining firsthand experience of the winter culture’s appeal and the city’s dynamic innovation. The parallel 2026 Harbin International Ice and Snow Economy Expo acted as a worldwide stage for industry partnership, fostering cultural and trade links among global cities to successfully channel ice-and-snow resources into new momentum for urban progress.
The Global Mayors Dialogue has emerged as a key platform for building international confidence and enriching cultural exchange. Choosing Harbin as the venue acknowledged its global recognition as a “World Outstanding City for Ice and Snow Tourism” and a “City of Music,” and gave the city a crucial chance to support worldwide development efforts and widen its open-door policy. With a deep heritage in ice-and-snow arts, Harbin employed winter elements as a powerful medium to tell the stories of China, Heilongjiang, and the “Ice City,” continuously expanding its network of international friendships for shared gain.
As part of the event, the Harbin Initiative for the Global Mayors Dialogue was unveiled, and cultural performances, such as the large-scale symphony Ode to Civilization, were held to foster all-around cooperation between Chinese and international cities through various channels.
Company Name: Harbin Daily Newspaper Industry Group Co., Ltd.
Contact Person: He Shengying
Company Email: 18075811@qq.com
Website: https://www.ipharbin.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
