Some journeys are measured by the kilometers traveled. Others are measured by the perspectives they transform. My inaugural visit to Wuxi belongs firmly to the latter.
Dr Daniel CF Ng visits a technology exhibition in Wuxi and takes a photo with two robots. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Like many Singaporeans, I had long associated the story of modern Singapore–China collaboration with the celebrated Suzhou Industrial Park. It has often been cited as the defining milestone in bilateral economic cooperation. Yet this visit opened my eyes to a richer and deeper narrative. I discovered that the relationship between Singapore and Wuxi stretches back even earlier, built on decades of friendship, mutual respect and growing collaboration. It reminded me that successful international partnerships are never created overnight. They are patiently cultivated, much like the famous Yangshan honey peaches that have become synonymous with Wuxi.
It was fitting that our journey coincided with the peak honey peach season.
The peach soon became more than a fruit. It became a symbol of Wuxi itself — gentle on the outside, rich in substance within, and unforgettable once experienced. Having heard so much about the legendary sweetness of Yangshan honey peaches over the years, I finally understood why people spoke about them with such affection. No amount of description could prepare me for the experience of tasting one fresh at its source. Sweet, fragrant, remarkably juicy and delicately textured, it was less like eating fruit and more like enjoying nature's finest dessert. Some experiences simply cannot be explained; they must be lived.
Yet Wuxi's greatest sweetness lies not in its peaches, but in its people.
Throughout our immersion, we were welcomed with warmth that felt sincere rather than ceremonial. Whether during enterprise visits, business discussions, meals or casual conversations, every encounter reflected a culture that values hospitality, relationships and mutual respect. There was a genuine eagerness to understand our businesses, explore opportunities together and build friendships that extend beyond commercial transactions. In today's world, where trust has become one of the most valuable business assets, this human connection was perhaps the most memorable takeaway of all.
Dr Daniel CF Ng visits Nanchang Street in Wuxi at night. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Professionally, Wuxi was equally impressive.
Before arriving, I knew Wuxi had established itself as one of China's important technology centers. Seeing it firsthand, however, was an entirely different experience. The city's commitment to intelligent manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, digital transformation and industrial innovation was evident everywhere we visited. Innovation was not confined to research laboratories or exhibition halls; it had become part of the city's operating philosophy. Companies demonstrated technologies that were not merely experimental but already solving practical problems at industrial scale.
For someone who has spent over four decades in the technology industry, it was inspiring to witness a city where government, universities, enterprises and investors work together with remarkable alignment. Innovation here is not an isolated initiative. It is an integrated ecosystem.
Equally fascinating was Wuxi's ability to balance progress with preservation.
Dr Daniel CF Ng tours Huishan Ancient Town with a delegation from Singapore. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Modern innovation districts stand comfortably alongside centuries-old temples, traditional canals and beautifully preserved heritage towns. Huishan Ancient Town was a perfect illustration of this harmony. Walking through its historic streets after spending the day discussing AI and robotics created an almost poetic contrast. Wuxi does not see history and innovation as competing forces. Instead, it demonstrates how a city can honour its cultural heritage while confidently embracing the future.
Perhaps that explains why the city feels so authentic.
Its ambition is evident without being overwhelming. Its technological achievements are impressive without losing sight of its humanity. Its economic aspirations remain firmly anchored in culture, tradition and community.
Then there was the food.
Friends who knew Wuxi had repeatedly told me, "Wait until you taste the local cuisine."
They were absolutely right.
Every meal became an exploration of Jiangnan culinary heritage. Delicately prepared freshwater fish, beautifully balanced braised dishes, handcrafted dim sum and seasonal specialties reflected a cuisine that values freshness, harmony and refinement rather than excess. Every dish carried a story of local ingredients and generations of culinary craftsmanship. The cuisine was sophisticated without being pretentious, comforting while remaining memorable. Like the honey peach itself, it revealed subtle layers of flavor that lingered long after the meal had ended.
Dr Daniel CF Ng tastes Liangxi crispy eel, a famous Wuxi dish. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
As our journey concluded, I realized that this had never been simply a technology immersion.
It had become an immersion into a city, its people, its culture and its aspirations.
Business opportunities may have been the reason we traveled to Wuxi, but relationships are what we brought home. The experience reinforced my belief that sustainable international collaboration is built not merely through contracts, but through trust, understanding and shared experiences.
That is why I am already looking forward to returning in November, this time with my family.
If July introduced me to the sweetness of honey peaches, November promises another celebrated treasure of Wuxi — the famed hairy crabs. Yet the true attraction is not simply another seasonal delicacy. It is the opportunity to rediscover a city that has left a lasting impression on me, allowing my family to experience its warmth, its remarkable blend of ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation, and its generous hospitality.
Some places are destinations you visit once.
Others quietly invite you back before you have even left.
For me, Wuxi has become the latter.
This inaugural journey may have begun with honey peaches, but it has cultivated something far more enduring: A genuine appreciation for one of China's most remarkable cities, a deeper understanding of the longstanding Singapore–Wuxi partnership, and friendships that I believe will continue to flourish for many seasons to come — from the sweetness of peaches in summer to the richness of hairy crabs in autumn, and, hopefully, many more journeys beyond.
The author is the managing partner of Omni Integra. He came to Wuxi with a Singapore delegation this July and plans to return here with his family again in November.
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