The 2025 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum opened on Sunday in Shanghai, with memorandums of cooperation signed in the field of water management and vocational skill training.

At the opening ceremony, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said this year's forum, themed on how technology can change life, serves as a platform to share AI application experiences and foster win-win collaboration between the two cities in areas like tech-powered urban governance, public safety, and social well-being.

The aim is to bring tangible senses of gain, happiness and security to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, said Gong.

He also extended invitations to Taiwan compatriots to visit and explore Shanghai, promising to create development opportunities for them with "the best environment and services," and offering a broad stage for Taiwan youth.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an emphasized their unwavering commitment to advancing the forum despite the ups and downs of the general situation.

"I have always believed that engagement is better than confrontation and dialogue is better than hostility," Chiang said, adding that he looked forward to peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait.

Chiang also shared cases of Taipei using new technologies to improve people's livelihood, advocating for a people-centered approach to technology, and striving to enhance the warmth of urban governance.

At three sub-forums, representatives of both cities shared their experiences and engaged in discussions of in-depth cooperation on topics such as technology-driven healthcare, rail transit and healthy aging.

Established in 2010 and hosted alternately by Shanghai and Taipei, the forum has served as an important platform for dialogue to enhance cross-Strait connections. To date, the two cities have signed 49 memorandums on exchange and cooperation.

(CGTN journalist Zheng Yibing also contributed to this coverage.)