XI'AN, China, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The northwestern Chinese city of Xi'an presented its work in smart farm machinery and digital crop monitoring, while proposing cooperation with partner cities abroad on joint research, machinery demonstrations and exchanges of agricultural technicians.
City agriculture officials laid out the proposals on Oct. 21 at a forum on technology and agriculture during the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference, held in Xi'an on Oct. 20-22.
Xi'an's agricultural technology development draws on collaboration among research institutes, equipment manufacturers and farms. A major area of focus is on small, smart machinery designed to operate on terrain and plots that are difficult to manage with conventional equipment, such as hillsides, loess tablelands, greenhouses, and small, fragmented fields.
More than 89.7% of plowing, sowing and harvesting of major crops in Xi'an is now mechanized, according to the Xi'an Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The bureau also reported an agricultural science and technology progress contribution rate of more than 70%.
The city has also developed a smart agricultural monitoring platform that integrates satellite, aerial and ground-based sensing with the Internet of Things and AI. The platform monitors farmland conditions, soil moisture, crop growth and signs of pests and disease, enabling farmers to detect problems earlier. The city is also promoting smart drip irrigation systems that manage water and fertilizer delivery.
Currently, Xi'an has developed 10-billion-yuan ($1.4 billion) industry chains in dairy, vegetables and kiwifruit, and a 5-billion-yuan industry chain in grapes. To maintain quality across these industries, the city coordinates seed breeding, cultivation and processing, and uses smart testing and digital traceability systems to support quality control.
According to the introduction, Xi'an is also a national pilot city for whole-process quality control of high-quality specialty agricultural products. Its agricultural testing center is the only local body in China with five national authorizations for agricultural product testing.
The cooperation proposals build on Xi'an's existing global connections in agricultural research and trade. The city hosts the Shaanxi center of the China-New Zealand Belt-and-Road Joint Laboratory on Kiwifruit, a bilateral research partnership. Kiwifruit, pomegranates, flowers and other specialty agricultural products from the city reach 26 countries and regions, with some transported via the China-Europe Railway Express freight service.
The Xi'an Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said the city hoped to use the forum to deepen agricultural cooperation. Its proposals included sharing experience in smart agriculture and digital rural development, carrying out smart machinery demonstrations and joint research, and supporting two-way learning and exchanges among agricultural technicians.
The bureau also called for exploring mutual recognition of agricultural product standards, expanding trade and developing markets for green agricultural products. Cooperation would reflect each partner city's needs and circumstances, the bureau said.
The agriculture forum was one of four parallel forums at the conference, which drew more than 700 guests, including local government representatives from 61 countries. The other forums covered urban development, environmental protection and cultural heritage, with participants signing a series of friendship city and cooperation agreements.
Xi'an, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, has 42 friendship cities in 35 countries and 73 friendly exchange cities in 44 countries. It has worked with partners on urban planning, heritage protection, resilience and technology through platforms including the Euro-Asia Economic Forum, United Cities and Local Governments, and the League of Historical Cities.
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Xi'an Highlights Smart Agriculture and Looks to Expand International Cooperation
Charting a New Milestone with Outstanding Achievements
HONG KONG, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong International Communications Electronic Chamber (HKICEC) made a landmark debut at the Global Sources Mobile Electronics Show, held from October 18-21, 2026, with the inaugural launch of the HKICEC Global Mobile Exchange Pavilion. Spanning 600 square meters, the pavilion brought together nearly 60 industry leaders from mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the UAE, the US and the UK. As the largest themed pavilion in the mobile electronics sector and a premier highlight of the exhibition, this event marks a new developmental milestone for HKICEC. The pavilion underscores the chamber's dedication to bridging global markets and serving the communications and electronics industry, injecting vital new momentum into the synergy between Hong Kong's technology sector and international trade.
The grand opening ceremony on October 18 marked the official launch of the first B2B pavilion in Hong Kong and Asia dedicated exclusively to mobile communications equipment. The milestone event was officiated by a distinguished lineup of devices global business, including Dr. the Hon. Starry Lee Wai King, GBS, JP, Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and President of the Legislative Council; Mr. Zhu Xiaodong, Director of the Kowloon Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Dr. the Hon. Horace Cheung Kwok Kwan SBS JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice, HKSAR; Mr. Liu Maozhou, Level 1 Bureau Rank Official, the Economic and Financial Department II, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; Mr. Ho Lap Ki, Denny, JP, District Officer (Kwun Tong), Home Affairs Department; Mr James Liu, CEO of Global Sources; and Mr. Jacky Tse, Chairman of HKICEC, alongside HKICEC Management team. Together, they witnessed the official launch of the first B2B pavilion in Hong Kong and Asia dedicated to mobile communications equipment. The ceremony drew over a hundred political and business leaders, industry representatives, international exhibitors, and major media outlets, reflecting the event's importance and the industry's green trading development. Following the inauguration, officials toured the pavilion for high-level discussions with global exhibitors, signaling robust institutional backing for the industry and HKICEC's strategic expansion.
During the four-day exhibition, the pavilion experienced a continuous flow of visitors. Communications and electronics suppliers and global buyers from overseas visited specifically for business matchmaking and negotiations, unlocking numerous commercial opportunities. Notably, the pavilion also featured a retrospective exhibit of 16 classic mobile phones, tracing the industry's evolution from early 'brick' devices to Mainland China's first official Apple release, the iPhone 3GS. The historical display proved to be a standout attraction, gathering large crowds throughout the event.
Beyond the exhibition floor, the chamber partnered with Global Sources to co-host an international forum on October 19. Under the theme " From New Devices to New Life: Building a Global Mobile Device Lifecycle Ecosystem", the event gathered experts from ecoATM, PCS Wireless, Cenwood, Our Hong Kong Foundation, and the Global Mobile Association. They engaged in profound discussions on cutting-edge topics including the global economic landscape, inventory management, ESG development, the circular ecology of new and used devices, and AI technology. Attended by over 200 international representatives, the forum successfully catalyzed cross-border collaboration and established a new standard for sustainability discourse in the global mobile industry.
As a capstone to the comprehensive four-day events, HKICEC convened over 500 industry leaders, VIPs, and exhibitors for a high-profile networking banquet designed to accelerate cross-border business alliances. The gathering provided a premier platform for delegates to solidify collaborative ties and exchange strategic insights initiated from the pavilion. Ahead of the exhibition's conclusion, a special " Pearl Of The Orient • Victoria Harbour Cruise Party" was organized to showcase Hong Kong's unique charm as a cosmopolitan city to global guests, providing a memorable networking experience against Hong Kong's iconic skyline to formally cap off the week's successes.
High-resolution images: https://bit.ly/3WqHMxu
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HKICEC Launches First-Ever Global Mobile Exchange Pavilion at Mobile Electronics Show
