Cosmopolitan cities are known for their international cultural, political, economic, and technological influence.

Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong are recognized worldwide as cosmopolitan cities that stand out in the process of urbanization. These cities have a high energy level and hold a prestigious position in the world city system, which is also known as their position in the world city value chain.

This value chain is determined by their economic, political, scientific, and technological strength, as well as their global influence and cultural exchange relations with other countries.

The process of urban internationalization is divided into three levels: the primary stage is an international metropolis, the intermediate stage is a cosmopolitan city, and the advanced stage is a world city, according to economists.

The term cosmopolitan was first proposed by Scottish town planner Geddes in 1915.

A cosmopolitan city is considered a first-class international city that has superb political, economic, scientific, and technological strength and a global influence due to its economic, political, scientific, technological, and cultural exchange relations with other countries.

The key point in understanding the concept of an international metropolis is the issue of influence, which is based on certain economic strengths. This ability to influence is both a dynamic process of change and a relatively comparative concept.

For instance, New York City has the largest economy in the world, with a GDP of $1.67 trillion in 2021, accounting for 7.3% of the total U.S. GDP last year. Forty-five of the Fortune 500 companies in the United States are headquartered in New York, including Verizon, Pfizer, and News Corporation.

New York also has a well-developed financial infrastructure and financial services, with the New York Stock Exchange being the largest stock exchange in terms of the total market capitalization of listed companies. Wall Street in lower Manhattan is the undisputed financial center of the world.

A cosmopolitan city has a diverse and mobile demographic composition, with a large urban population.

In 2021, New York City's total population is approximately 8.8 million, with approximately 44% being white, 25% black, and 13% Asian (including approximately 6% of Chinese descent).

With approximately 37% of New York City's population born overseas, it has the highest foreign-born population in the world.

Cosmopolitan cities are renowned for their internationally renowned art institutions. For instance, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the largest and most visited museums in the world, and Broadway is also located in New York.

Cosmopolitan cities have major sports facilities, and national league teams, and frequently host international sporting events. New York has two major league baseball teams (Mets and Yankees), two NBA teams (Knicks and Nets), and the U.S. Open, one of the four Grand Slams of tennis, is held in New York.

The term cosmopolitan city refers to a city with significant global influence in economic, political, scientific, technological, and cultural exchange relations. It represents the highest level of urbanization and the ultimate goal of a city's development.

The characteristics of a cosmopolitan city include a well-developed economy, diverse and mobile demographics, internationally renowned art institutions, and major sports facilities. These cities are recognized worldwide for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the global community.