A recent visit to Wuxi, Jiangsu province, has left a lasting impression on Singaporean public figure Tan Kin Lian – so much so that he recently wrote on Facebook: "I am now a friend of Wuxi, China."
Tan Kin Lian shares a post on Facebook, writing: "I am now a friend of Wuxi, China." [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The remark came after he read an article about his trip to Wuxi, published on the city's official English website. The story had been compiled from his own Facebook posts, photos, and videos, but what moved him most was not the publicity itself. It was the respect and sincerity behind it.
The friendship began only weeks earlier.
A return to Jiangnan after four decades
Tan traveled with friends through Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Wuxi from March 10 to 16. The main purpose of the trip was to attend a robotics exhibition in Hangzhou, but for Tan, it was also a chance to revisit the famed Jiangnan region after more than 40 years.
When the group arrived in Wuxi, the early spring chill still lingered in the air. At Yuantouzhu scenic area, a few early cherry blossoms had quietly begun to bloom beside the vast waters of Taihu Lake.
Wuxi is famous for its cherry blossoms. With more than 30,000 trees and over 100 varieties, Yuantouzhu is widely regarded as one of the world's top cherry blossom destinations. Although Tan arrived before peak bloom season, the scene still left a deep impression.
He filmed a short video on his phone and uploaded it on Facebook.
View of Yuantouzhu scenic area. [Video by Tan Kin Lian]
A voice known for speaking plainly
At 78, Tan remains one of Singapore's most recognizable public personalities. A former CEO of Singapore insurer NTUC Income, he later became widely known for his presidential campaigns in 2011 and 2023, where he built a reputation for speaking candidly and championing ordinary citizens.
That same openness defines his online presence today. Throughout his Wuxi trip, he shared observations both large and small: the lively dining atmosphere around the Hubin Commercial Street, the thoughtful hotel design that included uninterrupted power supply sockets, and even the affordability of direct flights between Wuxi and Singapore.
Tan Kin Lian shares observations from his visit to Wuxi on Facebook, including hotel facilities, a commercial block, and direct flights between Wuxi and Singapore. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Ordinarily, travel posts follow the familiar rhythm of social media —noticed for a moment, then quickly forgotten.
But this time, something different happened.
The messages that change the story
In mid-April, editors from Wuxi media team came across Tan's posts. They reached out via direct message, asking whether he would allow them to compile his photos, videos, and reflections into an article for a feature series titled "Share Your Wuxi Story".
Tan replied without hesitation.
Not only did he agree, he publicly praised the city's professionalism and courtesy.
On April 23, an English article titled A day in Wuxi: A glimpse of nature and modern life was published online. Written in the first person, it retained Tan's conversational tone and featured only the photos he had originally shared on Facebook.
Screenshots of the article based on Tan Kin Lian's Facebook posts, published on Wuxi's official English website. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
What impressed Tan most was the process behind it.
The editors sought permission before using his content and shared a draft for his review ahead of publication. "It was polite and positively written," he noted.
Tan contrasted the experience with coverage by Mothership, a Singapore-based digital news outlet, where his social media content had been reused without permission and paired with sensational headlines and unflattering visuals.
For him, what the Wuxi media team did was not simply good publicity. It was good manners.
"If I next visit Wuxi, I may be an honored guest."
The following day, Tan shared another post: a certificate of appreciation sent to him by the Wuxi media team.
"If I next visit Wuxi," he wrote, "I may be an honored guest."
Tan Kin Lian shares the certificate of appreciation sent by the Wuxi media team on Facebook. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
In the comments, some congratulated him. Others discussed their own impressions of China.
Chan Siewhoong remarked that "The pen can be more powerful than the sword". Daniel Yong described China as a people-centered society, while Mikel Junior called the country "truly amazing, a nation full of growth and inspiration". Another netizen expressed hopes of joining Tan in Wuxi next spring to see the cherry blossoms together.
The Wuxi editors themselves also joined the conversation.
"Welcome anytime, our friend," they replied. "We'd be delighted to show you more of Wuxi next time. And a cup of tea at our office would be wonderful!"
And perhaps that was the most touching part of all.
What began as a simple travel diary became a small but genuine human connection — one built not through grand speeches or official ceremonies, but through courtesy, curiosity, and a few blooming cherry blossoms beside a lake.
Copyright © China Daily. All rights reserved.