China's central bank says on April 2 it will further expand a pilot scheme of its digital currency to more areas, including Hangzhou. [Photo/VCG]

General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping stressed during his visit to Zhejiang in April 2020 that, "Using big data, cloud computing, blockchain, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to promote innovation in urban management means, management modes and management concepts, and moving from digitalization to intelligence to wisdom to make cities smarter and wiser is integral to the modernization of urban governance system and capacity and has a broad prospect."

In recent years, Hangzhou has always remained at the forefront of smart city development based on continuous exploration and innovation. In this year when Hangzhou's digital reform is comprehensively implemented and concentratedly displayed with integrated breakthroughs, China News Release interviews the Hangzhou Municipal Data Resources Administration to discuss the city's specific practices for new urbanization.

CHINA NEWS RELEASE: In November 2011, Hangzhou introduced the Hangzhou Smart City Master Plan; in April 2012, Hangzhou was officially made a pilot city in the China Smart Cities program. What makes Hangzhou a pioneer and pathfinder of smart city development in China?

HANGZHOU MUNICIPAL DATA RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION: In January 2003, at the First Session of the 10th People's Congress of Zhejiang Province, Xi Jinping, the then secretary of the provincial Party committee, proposed to develop Digital Zhejiang with a very forward-looking strategic vision. In July of the same year, the development of Digital Zhejiang was incorporated into the Eight-Eight Strategy for the high-quality development of Zhejiang.