The remote oil town of Karamay in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is adopting cutting-edge technology to become a "smart city" in order to make life easier for residents and improve local administration, its mayor said.

"Information technology is not just about technology. It should be integrated with all aspects of life in our city and make people's lives more convenient," Karamay Mayor Chen Xinfa said on the sidelines of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

"The 'smart city' could also alert city leaders like me to what needs to be done urgently regarding city management or emergencies," said Chen, who is also a delegate to the congress.