Cherry blossoms attract visitors to appreciate the scenery at the Yuantouzhu — or Turtle Head Isle — scenic area in Wuxi's Binhu district. CHINA DAILY
District of Wuxi city in Jiangsu province becoming a magnet for specialized industries and skilled workers
Binhu district of Wuxi city, Jiangsu province, has strategically leveraged development opportunities in recent years. They include the promotion of the Yangtze River Delta and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, alongside the establishment of the Taihu Lake-centered science and technology innovation zone.
As a result, the district has cultivated a unique identity, becoming a magnet for scientific and educational talents and a hub of dynamic intellectual energy.
Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Yangtze River Delta, Binhu enjoys seamless connectivity with Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou, and boasts a distinctive landscape where lakes and mountains surround the city. It is rich in natural beauty and abundant resources, historically known for its tea, fruits, fish, and rice.
Encompassing 572 square kilometers, with 212 sq km of land and a 108-km shoreline along Taihu Lake, the district is a radiant gem on the shores of this lake. Home to a national-level tourist resort area and two provincial-level development zones, it has a permanent population of nearly 600,000 people.
Vibrant innovation
Located at the core of the Taihu Lake-centered science and technology innovation zone, Binhu is accelerating the construction of an innovation ecosystem, nurturing innovative entities and continuously attracting innovation resources.
It is now home to two "Double First-Class" universities renowned for their world-class stature and exceptional disciplines, along with 12 research institutes, seven key laboratories at the provincial level or higher, and numerous cutting-edge innovation platforms.
In 2023, Binhu attracted 2,095 top-tier talents, with 18 selected for the national major talent project (class A), the highest number in Wuxi. The district's strong research support, diverse lifestyle options, and thoughtful talent initiatives have provided them with the best platform to cultivate their skills and realize their dreams.
Innovation remains a steadfast focus in Binhu, yielding a series of outstanding achievements such as the manned deep-sea submersible Fendouzhe, or Striver, and the supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight.
Over the past three years, the output value of high-tech industries in the district has seen a steady annual growth and consistently secured the top position in Wuxi's rankings.
Water town
Binhu reflects Taihu Lake's beauty, where the shimmering water surface intertwines with the surrounding mountains.
Its 108-km shoreline connects an array of natural wonders, including three national 5A-level scenic spots, five 4A-level scenic spots, two national urban wetland parks, and a host of public ecological green spaces.
Throughout the seasons in Binhu, visitors can revel in the splendor of cherry blossoms in spring, lotus blooms in summer, the lake scenery in autumn, and the delicate plum blossoms in winter. Here, one can also witness the seamless fusion of modern technology and ancient allure within the district.
The annual Wuxi marathon coincides with the cherry blossom season in Binhu, gaining international fame as the "cherry blossom marathon." Participants run along stunningly beautiful tracks through showers of cherry blossoms, making it a popular marathon event.
Moreover, Binhu hosts many other picturesque sports events, like the half-marathon at Lihu Lake, international road cycling race at Taihu Lake, the Wuxi international triathlon, and the sailing race on Lihu Lake.
These events blend intense competition with joyful experiences, promoting the integrated development of various industries such as sports, culture and tourism.
Open market
In Wuxi, Binhu plays a significant role in driving market vitality and industrial progress. The district is at the forefront of creating five modern industrial clusters: life sciences, integrated circuits, software information, intelligent connected vehicles, and tourism.
It is also nurturing and strengthening four distinctive industrial clusters such as digital film and television and low-carbon environmental protection, while strategically developing future industries of the metaverse, quantum technology and artificial intelligence.
Currently, its five key advantageous industries are experiencing robust double-digit growth. At the same time, Binhu is cultivating a group of high-tech enterprises featuring strong growth potential, strong innovation capabilities and promising development prospects.
With the aim to craft a city characterized by unique charm and specialized industry, Binhu has planned and constructed the future city of Lihu Lake, the modern city of Canal Bay, the science city of Hongsha Bay, the ecological city of Lingshan Bay, and the smart manufacturing city of Jiulong Bay.
The goal is to create new growth poles for regional energy transformation and high-quality development, attracting more highlevel talents and cutting-edge projects to Binhu, with better hardware and software environments.
Openness and inclusiveness have always been Binhu's core principles. The district utilizes an integrated investment attraction system and a digital investment attraction system, and developed a smart investment management platform, all aimed at streamlining and enhancing the investment attraction process to boost efficiency and elevate standards.
Additionally, it has instituted dedicated investment attraction teams for the Lihu Lake future city and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, it has organized other teams to conduct investment attraction activities in key regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as cities like Chengdu and Chongqing.
Annual flagship events like the Binhu innovation conference, the economic and trade fair, and the global automotive chip innovation conference serve as pivotal platforms that showcase Binhu's commitment to fostering innovation, economic growth, and industry collaboration.
Efficient services
A favorable business environment and efficient services serve as the strongest experiences for people living and working in Binhu. They are also crucial in attracting innovative enterprises and talents, local officials said.
To ensure the smooth progression of every project, the district has positioned industrial development at the top level, optimized policies for the Taihu Lake science and technology innovation zone, and continuously upgraded the business environment and talent policies.
Technological innovation is the original driving force in leading development and a key factor in accelerating the formation of new quality productive forces.
Currently, Binhu is targeting cutting-edge sectors and entering such fields as new energy, synthetic biology, AI, and the low-altitude economy, which are leading future development. For example, a domestic photonic chip trial line constructed by the Wuxi Chip Hub for Integrated Photonics Xplore was put into operation in September, signifying the formal entry of photonic chips into the fast lane of industrialization.
Also, Med Imaging AI made the list of "leading units with innovative AI medical devices", the only company in Wuxi to be listed.
Toursun Synbio, a pioneering tech firm specializing in protein design, manufacturing and education, released China's first natural language protein large model in April. It can predict and optimize the activity, stability and binding ability of proteins such as enzymes and antibodies.
Cultural hub
Binhu is a stronghold of Jiangnan culture, rich in ancient Wu state heritage and adorned with emerging attractions like the Taihu botanical garden and the No 108 corridor of Taihu Lake. Leveraging Wuxi Studios, a national digital film industry park, the district has built a complete modern film industry chain centered on technology-driven filming and digital production.
Currently, Binhu is developing the micro-drama sector, establishing a network literature micro-drama transformation and trading platform to assist integrated development.
Looking ahead, it aims to become a more renowned and influential symbol of Jiangnan impressions, a land of century-old business legacies, a hub of cultural industry enrichment, a leader in cultural creativity, and a comprehensive tourism destination, according to the local government.
Binhu's essence and warmth are hidden in its bustling streets and alleys, as well as amid the neon lights of commercial areas. In the district, savoring delicacies transcends a single taste or location — it can be at an iconic street corner or a surprising find during a city walk.
The happiness of life is in the small details. Service spots like "beneficial meals for the elderly "offer a touch of warmth and care to senior residents in Binhu. Fitness facilities, commercial avenues and children's playgrounds are integrated with residential communities, ensuring easy access to education, healthcare, shopping and leisure within a 15-minute walk.
Embracing the concept of a garden city district, Binhu has pioneered a novel approach by bringing green spaces to residents' doorsteps and seamlessly blending homes with lush gardens, exemplifying the district's commitment to creating a harmonious living environment.
haonan@chinadaily.com.cn
