The Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposes, “We will … move faster to boost China’s strength in … cyberspace and digital development” and “We will work faster to modernize and enhance social governance in cities.” The Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035 of the People’s Republic of China also proposes, “We will embrace the digital era … accelerate the development of a digital economy, a digital society, and a digital government, and transform the pattern of production, lifestyle, and governance models through digital transformation.”

In the digital era, the governance of super-large and mega cities plays a crucial role in both strengthening China’s digital development and cyberpower and serving as a symbol of the modernization of the national governance capacity and system. In order to genuinely actualize the phrase “better city, better life”, the governance of super-large and mega cities in the digital era should maintain the cities’ warmth and resiliency, encourage extensive participation, maximum inclusivity, prompt responsiveness, and sustainable development, and develop them into a resilient and smart integrated system suitable for residential and commercial development.

I. Effective governance of super-large and mega cities is essential for Chinese modernization

1. China has the largest number of super-large and mega cities in the world; 2. There are both opportunities and challenges for the governance of super-large and mega cities in the digital era; 3. It is important to encourage the agile governance of super-large and mega cities in the digital era. As cities grow in size and number, China’s 21 super-large and mega cities have become key hubs for population inflow.

II. Advanced concepts of urban governance must be devised in order to realize the agile governance of super-large and mega cities

1. Urban governance should replace urban management; 2. Integrated system cities should replace physical space cities; 3. The meticulous governance model should replace the extensive management model.

III. Main features of the agile governance of super-large and mega cities

1. Super-large and mega cities in the digital era are quaternary spatio-temporal organisms; 2. Super-large and mega cities should ensure the humanistic concern of governance through accurate governance; 3. Super-large and mega cities should be able to adapt their public policies steadily.

IV. Implementation process of the agile governance of super-large and mega cities in China

1. Create a community for agile governance of super-large and mega cities; 2. Upgrade the “city brain” digital governance system to encourage efficient allocation of factors and resources, and achieve sustainable urban development; 3. Construct the urban digital infrastructure in advance if necessary; 4. Build a stronger network and data security system; 5. Govern the super-large and mega cities and their surrounding regions in an agile and collaborative manner.