Young people from around the world try their hands at playing the erhu at the Meicun Erhu Industrial Park, WND, Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

A group of about 20 Gen Z representatives from 12 countries, including China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, Canada, Peru, and Morocco, gathered in the Wuxi National Hi-Tech District, also known as WND, from Oct 27 to 28 to explore the district's cultural landmarks and distinctive industries.

At the Meicun Erhu Industrial Park, which integrates exhibition, craftsmanship, and cultural innovation, the participants learned about the making of the traditional Chinese string instrument. "The erhu feels both familiar and unique — similar to the violin in some ways, yet so distinct in tone and structure. What truly inspires me is how the Chinese people preserve tradition while continuing to innovate," said Ali Sajjad from Pakistan.

Participants visit the Wuxi Beauty and Health Industrial Park. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

The group also visited the Wuxi Beauty and Health Industrial Park, jointly developed by Jiangnan University and the WND government. Moroccan participant Elyajizi Chayma, an industrial engineer pursuing an MBA at Shanghai University, said she was impressed by China's thriving beauty and health sector. "I had heard about China's advancements in this area before coming, but the reality far exceeds my expectations," she said. "The close collaboration between government, universities, and enterprises — and the involvement of young scholars — will surely accelerate progress across the industry."

During an evening visit to Meili Ancient Town, Mae Leigh from the United States and Olusola-Niyi Mojolaoluwa from the UK discussed cultural preservation amid the town's glittering nightscape. They both praised China's creative efforts to engage young people in heritage appreciation, noting how lighting design and immersive storytelling help bring history to life.

Participants play pool at the Bodu River Sports Center. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

Along the Bodu River, participants toured the Bodu River Cultural Center and Sports Center, where the modern facilities and vibrant public spaces left a strong impression. Vladislav Glaziev from Russia was particularly moved: "When I first entered the cultural center, I thought it was an art museum or a film set — it's that beautiful. But then I saw locals reading and studying inside and realized it's part of their daily life. It's one of the best public spaces I've seen in China.