The 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference opened in Beijing on Thursday, releasing a series of key reports and initiatives that outline the future of digital development. The 2026 Global Digital Economy Cities Report, released by the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance (DEC40), identified "digital-friendly" as a key direction for urban digital transformation. The report emphasizes that digital technology should support industrial upgrading and urban governance while being tangible to residents, useful for businesses, and accessible to society.