China advances smart city governance with AI-driven public services and digital infrastructure

The Chinese city of Xi'an is strengthening its position as a benchmark for smart urban governance, demonstrating how digital technologies and data-driven systems can enhance public services, improve efficiency, and support sustainable development.

According to China Daily, a partner of TV BRICS, officials and urban management experts from multiple countries, including Egypt and Oman, examined the city’s governance model, focusing on how digitalisation is reshaping municipal services and infrastructure management.

A central element of Xi’an’s approach is its integrated citizen service system, which operates around the clock to handle public enquiries, complaints and service requests. The platform coordinates multiple government departments to ensure rapid responses and streamlined problem-solving. In 2025 alone, the system processed approximately 5.8 million requests, achieving a completion rate of 99.8 per cent and a public satisfaction rate exceeding 97 per cent.

Representatives noted that such a model reflects a people-centred governance philosophy, combining responsiveness with operational efficiency. Several participants expressed interest in adapting similar systems to improve public administration and grassroots governance in their respective countries.

Xi’an’s smart mobility infrastructure also drew particular attention. The city’s traffic management system integrates real-time data on road networks, congestion points and vehicle movement, enabling authorities to respond quickly to incidents and optimise traffic flow. Experts highlighted its effectiveness in reducing congestion, supporting emergency services and improving everyday convenience for residents.

According to Vice-Mayor Xiao Qi, smart technologies are now embedded throughout the city. These include AI-powered visual systems capable of detecting road surface damage with high precision, sensors monitoring the structural condition of bridges in real time, and adaptive street lighting that adjusts brightness based on traffic flow to improve energy efficiency.