As one of the most developed economic areas in China and widely known as the Pearl of Taihu Lake, Wuxi, Jiangsu province, is gearing up to boost its image as a global city.

As soon as it emerged from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and returned to normal life earlier this year, the city threw its doors open wider to the outside world, looking to build on old connections and make new friends as an open city embracing international cooperation.

In February, Wuxi lifted the curtain on its global promotional campaign by sending a delegation to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. One month later, a delegation of more than 70 entrepreneurs from Hong Kong paid a return visit during the 2023 Wuxi International Month.

The event, which kicked off on March 20 and was held concurrently with the annual Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Festival at Yuantouzhu Scenic Area, was hailed as a great success. Visitors and tourists from home and abroad flocked to the city to admire the cherry blossoms of spring while feeling the pulse of Wuxi's opening and development.

Some 400 representatives from 29 countries, including those from foreign countries' consulates in Shanghai and foreign companies, participated the event, which also witnessed the signing of sister city cooperation agreements with cities including Bocholt, Germany, and Szarvas, Hungary, taking the number of Wuxi's international sister city partners to 50 and its "circle of friends" for economic and trade cooperation covering 224 countries and regions worldwide.

Thomas Kerkfoff, mayor of Bocholt, Germany, who visited Wuxi for the first time, said, "I am impressed by Wuxi. It's a beautiful city." He noted that the event reflects the internationalization of Wuxi, a result of the city's years of international exchanges and cooperation. He said, "It is an honor to join this international family. Our friendship will surely flourish like the cherry blossoms in Wuxi."

Bruno Jans, the Belgian consul-general in Shanghai, said the international month and cherry blossom festival connect Wuxi to the world and create opportunities for business cooperation. He thanked Wuxi for its hospitality, hoping to explore more cooperation with the city in the future.

A number of factors have contributed to the ever-growing charm of Wuxi as an important economic powerhouse, a tourist city and a destination for foreign businesses to invest in China. Its unique cultural heritage, enchanting natural and urban scenery and good ecological and business environment all serve as a magnet to guests from near and far.

Wuxi has a history of more than 3,000 years. It is said to be the cradle of the Wu culture and has the Grand Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, flowing through it. A stroll in the city will bring tourists to such famous sites as the Yuantouzhu, Nianhua Bay, Lihu Park, Chong'an Temple and Huishan ancient town.

Situated at the geographical center of the Yangtze River Delta and echoing the Shanghai-Nanjing and the Nanjing-Hangzhou development belts, Wuxi has a unique, advantageous location. With multiple railway and highway arteries connecting it and equipped with a modern transportation network, Wuxi is easily accessible by all means of transport.

Since 2020, Wuxi's continuous economic miracles have comfortably landed on the No 1 position among Chinese cities in per capita GDP in three consecutive years, which reached 198,400 yuan ($28,828) in 2022. With the city assuming increasing economic, cultural and social importance in the country, it has even been chosen to play host to foreign dignitaries visiting China.

Riding the high tide of the country's reform and opening up drive, Wuxi has attracted more and more investments from overseas. To date, it has a cumulative use of foreign investments totaling almost $80 billion. In 2022, the total import and export volume of Wuxi's foreign trade exceeded $110 billion, reaching a new historical high.

Wuxi now boasts more than 7,200 foreign-funded enterprises and nearly 12,000 foreign trade enterprises, including over 110 Fortune Global 500 multinational companies, such as SK Hynix, AstraZeneca, and Bosch.

Such a rosy picture cannot be achieved without Wuxi's continuous efforts to cultivate a first-class business environment as the local government, always deeming its business environment as the core competitiveness of a city, has rolled out a series of reform measures to facilitate business operations in Wuxi and standardize business activities.

Living in a picturesque Wuxi and enjoying all the benefits from the city's high-degree of opening-up, the 7.49 million local residents share a happiness index among the highest in the country. A city full of opportunities and sincerity is confidently reaching out to the outside world, looking to achieve common development with all interested international partners.