Jiangsu media trip: Bridging the past and future through high-quality development

International visitors get inside look at innovative initiatives

Jiangsu's country charm struck a chord with Helena Kocova, a journalist from the Czech Republic's Nase Pravda who took part in a Nov 3-7 media tour of the coastal province in East China. "I fell in love with the beautiful rural villages," she said. "I saw that the innovative approach to rural tourism attracts people from all over and drives local development."

As part of the 2024 Jiangsu Media Trip, journalists and social media influencers visited Qianjiadu, a village in Nanjing that has capitalized on its water-town features and intangible cultural heritage to create rich, immersive experiences for visitors. Co-organized by the Information Office and Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu and China Daily, the tour included participants from Italy, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Egypt, Singapore and Indonesia. The cities of Nanjing, Yangzhou, Wuxi and Suzhou were other tour stops that showcased Jiangsu's achievements in modernization and high-quality development.

History and modernity

As a vital economic and cultural hub, Jiangsu exemplifies how history and modernity can harmoniously coexist. The province is home to numerous heritage sites, including such historical landmarks as Nanjing's Great Bao'en Temple Ruins Museum and the Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Efforts to preserve and rejuvenate these cultural treasures have transformed Jiangsu into a thriving cultural tourism destination while safeguarding its rich history.

"The digital displays are absolutely stunning … I could truly feel the magnificence of ancient Chinese architecture," said Damira Ibranovic, a journalist from Bosnia and Herzegovina, after visiting the Great Bao'en Temple Ruins Museum's incorporation of metaverse technology. Using the metaverse setup, Ibranovic created her own virtual avatar and "stepped inside" the temple's glazed pagoda.

The interactive exhibits inside the museum, including AR installations and touch screens, allow visitors to engage with the site's history, architectural details and cultural significance. Built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Bao'en Temple was once the tallest structure in ancient China, known as the "Great Antique of China and the Grand Ceramic of Yongle". In 2015, the museum opened to the public, with its innovative design preserving the historical remains while also facilitating urban renewal.

The media tour included Nanjing Xiaoxihu block, the China Grand Canal Museum of Yangzhou, autonomous vehicle startup WeRide and Suzhou Industrial Park Exhibition Center — each offering firsthand insights into Jiangsu's efforts to advance industrial development through high-end transformation while serving up a mix of rich history and modern life.

Tania Glouhtcheva, a journalist from Bulgaria's DUMA Newspaper, described Yangzhou as "a harmonious blend of rich history and vibrant modernity", adding: "Whether in cities or rural areas, there's a beautiful harmony between people and nature here. The locals are happy. I was captivated by the scenic beauty, delicious food and advanced smart automobile factories."

Sitting inside an autonomous WeRide bus, Ricardo Barbosa, a columnist for Brazil's daily newspaper O Popular, was intrigued by the experience. "It's very illuminating. After riding in the autonomous shuttle, we had the opportunity to chat with the organizers to get a sense of the data structures and processes behind the deployment of autonomous vehicles," he said.

The visit to WeRide's intelligent technology facilities and subsequent hands-on experience gave the media reps a deeper understanding of how Jiangsu is promoting industrial digitization and smart technology. It also highlighted the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and the internet of things in shaping the future of mobility. The delegation also learned about safety protocols, operational strategies and the extensive testing behind making autonomous vehicles a reality.

For Diaa Fayed, an Egyptian site engineer from China Construction Fifth Engineering Bureau, the autonomous driving technology felt almost like science fiction. "I thought autonomous driving was something we might see in 2050, but it's already here. This is so advanced," said Fayed, marveling at how Jiangsu is bringing tomorrow's technology to life today.

Through multiple initiatives that blend tradition with modernity, Jiangsu is demonstrating that cultural heritage can coexist with urbanization and industrial growth. This approach aligns with China's commitment to maintaining its cultural identity amid high-quality development.

Jiangsu's emphasis on fostering global collaboration and technological advancement is also exemplified by its industrial parks and research centers. The final day of the media tour featured visits to the Suzhou Industrial Park Exhibition Center, iFlytek (Suzhou) Technology and the National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute, showcasing Jiangsu's commitment to high-quality development.

Li Yeming, editor-in-chief of Singapore's Suibi Nanyang, shared his personal connection with Suzhou Industrial Park, remarking: "It feels like coming home." He expressed admiration for Suzhou's rapid development in high technology and its growing international reputation.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the industrial park, a remarkable collaboration between China and Singapore. As a symbol of international cooperation and innovation, it has evolved into a global hub for technology, talent and economic development, reflecting the strong partnership between the two nations.

As a crucial hub of the Yangtze River Delta region, Jiangsu province is contributing significantly to the Chinese and global economies. According to the statistics from the provincial government, Jiangsu saw its GDP increase 5.8 percent year-on-year to 12.82 trillion yuan ($1.8 trillion) in 2023, and the province now boasts five cities — Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nantong and Changzhou — with a GDP of more than 1 trillion yuan.

Li Jinyi contributed to this story.