The Guangzhou World Council of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) opened virtually on Nov 12. 

Liu Qibao, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended their congratulations to the opening via video link. 

China highly appreciates the leadership and contributions of the UCLG and other countries' local governments in promoting international anti-pandemic cooperation, economic recovery and growth, and global governance, said Liu.

He said China will promote high-quality growth and further deepen its reform and opening-up, adding that China is willing to share the new opportunities brought by its development with other countries and to make new and greater contributions to the global sustainable development. 

About 300 officials from cities and local governments of 48 countries attended the event to discuss development against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

UCLG President Mohamed Boudra, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Lin Songtian, and Wen Guohui, mayor of Guangzhou, Guangdong province, addressed the opening.