Imagine a city where ancient gardens meet cutting-edge tech, and global minds collide over tea ceremonies and AI 🤖🍵. That’s Suzhou, China, hosting a vibrant APEC-themed dialogue this week! CGTN’s Yang Xinmeng sat down with innovators and thinkers to unpack how connection and creativity are shaping Asia’s future.
Suzhou: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Mitch Dudek, founder of Six Arts Museum, called Suzhou a "living museum" – think silk embroidery masters working next to robotics startups. "It’s like scrolling through TikTok, but IRL," he laughed, highlighting how the city embodies APEC’s "innovate to prosper" spirit.
Global Voices, Shared Vision
South Korean student Kim Hyunmin drew parallels between K-pop’s global rise and China’s cultural soft power: "When BTS sings about self-love or Suzhou artisans preserve heritage, it’s all about storytelling that connects." CGTN’s Konstantin Shepin added: "APEC isn’t just trade deals – it’s about finding common ground in a multipolar world."
Why This Matters for Gen Z
From green tech partnerships to cross-border e-commerce trends, the panel agreed: APEC’s success hinges on youth-driven ideas. As Shepin noted, "The next big startup solving climate change could come from a dorm room in Jakarta or a co-working space in Suzhou."
One thing’s clear – in our hyper-connected era, collaboration isn’t just policy jargon. It’s the secret sauce for building a cooler, greener, and more inclusive planet 🌱💻.
