Suzhou Industrial Park a highlight of tour

The shore of Jinji Lake, where marshlands once stretched and locals cultivated rice and crabs, is now dominated by sleek skyscrapers and the bustling global innovation hub of Suzhou Industrial Park.

From Nov 3-7, the site was a highlight of the 2024 Jiangsu Media Trip, as journalists and online influencers from around the world gathered to witness the high-quality development of Jiangsu province.

Established through a collaboration between China and Singapore, Suzhou Industrial Park has achieved the milestones of 1.09 trillion yuan ($150.5 billion) in cumulative tax revenue, 1.1 trillion yuan in fixed asset investment, and $1.54 trillion in total import and export volume after three decades.

In addition to its economic achievements, the park's strategic focus on biopharmaceuticals, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence captivated the visiting journalists. "This is an incredibly modern and livable new area," remarked Li Yeming, editor-in-chief of Singapore's Suibi Nanyang.

The industrial park's story is just one chapter in Jiangsu's larger narrative of fostering new quality productive forces. In Wuxi, known as the front line of China's internet of things industry, the visitors witnessed how digital technology is integrated into everyday life. Autonomous buses navigated roads seamlessly, offering a glimpse of how IoT is transforming public transportation. "This is the future," said Diaa Fayed, an Egyptian site engineer from China Construction Fifth Engineering Bureau.

Jiangsu's commitment to innovation also extends to reinvigorating established sectors. At HOdo Group, a leading textile and garment manufacturer, the foreign journalists toured a 5G-powered smart factory that integrates automation at every stage of production. Designated as a national pilot project for industrial internet applications, the facility is redefining traditional manufacturing. "This is truly a model of how traditional industries can transform and upgrade," said Damira Ibranovic, a journalist from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The 2024 Jiangsu Media Trip provided an unparalleled opportunity for international media to witness the province's achievements firsthand. Through its dedication to innovation, sustainability and inclusivity, Jiangsu is advancing its own development and offering a blueprint for the global conversation on high-quality growth.

As Jiangsu continues to push boundaries in fostering new quality productive forces, it is cementing its status as a global leader in rethinking the future of development.

Fu Yifang contributed to this story.