Media trip visits Taicang, Suzhou

Reporters from around the world head to economic powerhouses to learn of influence, prosperity

Taicang was a familiar name among the Asian reporters on the recent Hi Jiangsu trip, because Zheng He (1371-1433), who is famed throughout South East Asia, set up many Sanbao Temples there.

The renowned explorer made seven voyages to the Indian Ocean, even reaching the Red Sea and Africa’s east coast from his starting point of Taicang.

Taicang Port expects to welcome more imports from Southeast Asia, port official Zhang Han told the reporters joining the Hi Jiangsu trip in early September.

New sea routes linking Southeast Asia countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, are due to open soon thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, Zhang said.

Last year, the port’s container throughput hit 4.08 million twenty-foot equivalent units. This year, the port expects that figure to rise significantly.

Nowadays, Taicang is a countylevel city under the administration of Suzhou, one of China’s economic powerhouses.

According to Wei Guoling, Taicang’s publicity director, the average life expectancy in the city is 83, among the highest in China.

The local people’s longevity is due to the centuries-long prosperity generated by its geographical advantages as a sea port.

The nearby inland city of Suzhou, one of China’s economic powerhouses, has injected Taicang with economic vigor since ancient times.

The World Bank recognized Suzhou as China’s Gold-Medal City for Investment Environment, thanks to its openness and competence.

Suzhou covers an area of 8,488 square kilometers, of which 42.5 percent is water, making it a famous water town in the Yangtze River area.

It enjoys a number of nicknames, such as the “Land of Fish and Rice”, “Garden Capital”, “Silk Capital” and an “Arts and Crafts City” in China.

Statistics indicate that last year the city’s GDP hit 1.55 trillion yuan ($263.1 billion), ranking top of the nation’s leading cities.

Suzhou has a relatively high degree of opening-up to the outside world. A total of 150 Fortune 500 companies have invested in the city and it has established friendship relations with 53 sister cities around the world.

Nearly 50,000 foreigners live in Suzhou and for six consecutive years the city has been named in the Amazing China — the Most Attractive Chinese Cities for Foreigners, a survey compiled by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

The city’s main attractive qualities are its scenery and culture. The 2,500-year-old double chessboard layout of water and land, canals and streets, has been preserved.

Its network of rivers and canals make three vertical lines, three horizontal lines and one ring. Its unique landscape is traditionally described as “small bridges, flowing water, white walls, cultural relics and classic gardens.”

Suzhou is also known for its abundant tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

There are 58 classic gardens that are well preserved in the city, nine of which are included in the World Heritage List, including the Humble Administrator’s Garden and the Lingering Garden.

UNESCO has listed six of the city’s cultural heritage items as masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, including Kunqu Opera and the guqin, a traditional musical instrument. In 2016, Suzhou welcomed more than 110 million Chinese tourists and 1.6 million overseas visitors.

The evolution of Suzhou New District in the city’s western area, which boasts both scenery and industry, is attracting the world’s attention.

Covering 223 square kilometers and with a population of 770,000, the new district saw its GDP reach 106.6 billion yuan in 2016, an increase of 7.9 percent year-on-year.

The Suzhou New District is not only an industrial hub, but also a place with strong culture.

The scenic site of the China Embroidery Art Museum is a prime example in the district, comprising the museum, an embroidery street and workshops operated by masters.

It focuses on promoting Suzhou embroidery production, demonstration, sales, production sightseeing and communication.

The local government plans to build the area into an embroidery town, a characteristic town in the city. BBC in Thailand Nepali Times Vietnam News the UK the Nation TV Propeller TV in

JIANG DONG / CHINA DAILY A showroom with a 220-degree giant screen and an artistic renderings showcases the development plan of Suzhou New District. Reporters joining the Hi Jiangsu event shared their insights on their trip in Suzhou and Yangzhou, according to reports from...

I hope that the planned Southeast Asian sailing line, from Taicang port to Thailand, can be opened as soon as possible to further enhance the trading between China and Thailand. The Belt and Road Initiative has brought many benefits to the people of...

This is my first time coming to Suzhou, but I have already heard of it before: “Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below”. My mother bought Suzhou embroidery before she came to Britain, and I really love it because it looks like a painting. Isabella...

Yangzhou has preserved its ancient residential buildings and cultural heritage, from which we could learn a lot. I will write reports to remind the people in Nepal of the importance of protecting heritage. Dambar Shrestha, coordinator,

I’d like to learn more about traditional Chinese culture, such as these narrow alleys in Yangzhou, with unique architectural style and walls. Nguyen Khanh Duong, editor,