During a visit to Hangzhou on March 31, President Xi Jinping said that major cities could become more intelligent by using big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence technology to modernize urban governance. 

As an important aspect of social governance, urban management needs to adopt measures according to the local context. At the same time, it should maintain an inclusive attitude and promote innovation.

Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang in east China, has made progress in building a smart city. It launched the City Brain project in 2016, a platform aimed at improving urban management.

This same technology has been applied in the investigation of cases amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. The Hangzhou Municipal Government has also launched measures to help enterprises resume work and production, ensuring people's livelihoods with innovations such as using QR codes for health screening.

The epidemic has presented a serious test for city governance and the authorities. It has also reinforced the notion that urban management should be people-oriented, giving priority to bettering people's lives, boosting their happiness and increasing their sense of security.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Xinhuanet.com on April 1)