Representatives from at least 96 foreign cities will join Chinese mayors to discuss harmonious development among "City, Man and Nature" at a summit in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality in October, the city's Information Office Director Zhou Bo said yesterday.

"Cities throughout the world face such common issues as unemployment, environment, traffic, education and even terrorism problems," Zhou said. "They need to discuss these topics, exchange information and seek solutions together."

The Asia-Pacific Cities Summit, which was started by Brisbane City Council, Australia, in 1996, makes its Asian debut when it hits Chongqing on October 12.

Speakers at the four-day summit will explore ways to create an agreeable human habitat in the course of urban development, Zhou said.

They will share their expertise on urban environmental issues such as sewage treatment, air purification, garbage disposal and urban forestation, according to the information office sources.

The participants will also discuss ways to preserve the unique features of a city through the art of planning, the sources said.

In addition, they will examine how to take advantage of the information technology in order to cope with challenges such as urban transportation, security and crisis management.

Other topics to be discussed at the summit include job creation, smart governance, harmonious living in urban communities and enlarged collaboration between cities in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Zhou.

"The event will become an important platform for promoting exchanges and co-operation among cities, governments and businesses in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

Tim Wild, director of China Busines Development for the Office of Brisbane's Lord Mayor, said at least 90 entrepreneurs and government officials from Brisbane alone, will attend the Chongqing summit.

The executives from infrastructure, agri-business, technology and education sectors will look into business opportunities in Chongqing, which is considered the gateway to China's vast western regions, Wild said.

Chongqing is going all out to make the gathering a success, Zhou said.

The city will greet city mayors, experts and business people with "flowers and smiles," he said.