"Guangzhou" and "Guangzhou Award" became buzzwords, frequently heard in guest speeches at the panel.

Guangzhou Award is the only global competition for urban management, according to Neal Peirce. He said it carries great value in sharing and exchanging practices of urban innovation from other countries.

"Guangzhou is a beautiful city," said Michael Muller. He even showed some of his photos of the Canton Tower from an earlier visit in 2012.

Guangzhou also shared with global leaders its experiences and practices in transportation improvement, water management, and urban renewal.

Guangzhou also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on June 20, to further enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation with its Canadian peer, Montreal. It marked the 30th friendly-city for the Guangdong province capital.

An attendee is interested in Guangzhou's exhibition on urban management in Montreal, Canada. [Photo/dayoo.com] 

Guangzhou moved a step further during the conference, lodging a bid for hosting the 13th Metropolis World Congress in 2020.

"Cities are gaining a greater voice in global governance," said Liu Baochun, secretary of Metropolis Asia-Pacific Regional Office and director of Guangzhou Foreign Affairs office of the Guangzhou Municipal Government.

Guangzhou government is also set to launch a foundation for international cooperation and exchange, according to Liu.

The Metropolis World Congress is a platform for decision-makers from major cities around the world to discuss metropolis management and challenges posed to urban development.