Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, recently hosted a gathering of mayors and city planners from across the globe to exchange insights on green transformation, cultural heritage preservation, and smart governance. The event, held on Wednesday, highlighted Nanjing’s commitment to sustainable urban development and its rich historical legacy. Participants visited Yuhuatai High School to witness a campus soccer match, showcasing the city’s emphasis on youth engagement and sports infrastructure. Nanjing’s dedication to fostering a soccer culture was evident in its 294 national youth campus soccer specialty schools and the construction of 180 new soccer fields over the past five years. Alessandro Rapinese, Mayor of Como, Italy, praised Nanjing’s energy and competitiveness, which he experienced firsthand on the soccer field. The delegation also explored the Nanjing City Wall Museum and Zhonghua Gate Wengcheng, marveling at the city’s meticulous preservation of its Ming Dynasty heritage. The Nanjing City Wall, built in 1366, remains the world’s longest and best-preserved ancient city wall, while Zhonghua Gate Wengcheng stands as a testament to China’s architectural ingenuity. Over the three-day visit, participants embarked on a diverse itinerary, including a research vessel tour to observe finless porpoises, a visit to a bug studio to study insect traces, and a tour of Nanjing Iron and Steel Group Company to witness its green transformation efforts. The event also featured a World Literature Salon, where mayors read Chinese and English poetry, fostering cross-cultural dialogue. Mohamed Higazy, a board member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, lauded Nanjing as a model city that balances heritage preservation with forward-looking development. Thomas Himmler, Director of Foreign Affairs in Dietfurt, Germany, expressed his admiration for Nanjing’s warmth and cultural richness, emphasizing his goal to bridge understanding between Germany and China.