Are you ready to catch the vibe of APEC in Suzhou? 🚀 This bustling canal city in the Chinese mainland just became ground zero for the biggest tech, culture, and trade talk under the theme ‘Connect, Innovate, Prosper.’ We sat down with three awesome guests — Mitch Dudek, Konstantin Shepin, and Kim Hyunmin — to unpack Suzhou’s special charm and what it means for our region.
First up, the classics: Suzhou’s gardens and waterways are like stepping into a time machine. Mitch, founder of Six Arts Museum, geeked out over the Ming-style pavilions and silk weaving 🐛. ‘It’s not just about the aesthetics — it’s a living link between past and present,’ he tells us. Think UNESCO vibes but IRL.
Next, we hit the tech lanes. Konstantin, CGTN Russian’s senior commentator, was all 👀 when he saw how QR codes are woven into daily life. ‘From street food stalls to high-speed trains, digital wallets make everything super smooth,’ he said. If you’ve used e-wallets in Bangkok or Jakarta, you know the drill — Suzhou just levels it up.
Kim Hyunmin, a student from the Republic of Korea, found the people-to-people connections 🔗 a highlight. ‘Sharing bubble tea chats with locals, I felt the true spirit of APEC’s promise: bringing diverse voices together,’ Kim shared. It’s like hanging out in a multi-country Discord channel, but with IRL dumplings.
What’s next for APEC after Suzhou? Our guests agree: cross-border collaboration will be powered by digital bridges and cultural exchanges. Whether it’s co-developing green tech startups or virtual art exhibitions, ‘Connect, Innovate, Prosper’ isn’t just a tagline — it’s the roadmap for the next decade. 🌱💡
So, young pros and students across South Asia and Southeast Asia, here’s your takeaway: global opportunities are just a scroll (and a flight) away. Stay curious, stay connected, and let Suzhou’s story inspire your next big move. Who knows? Your startup pitch or art project might be the next APEC sensation. 🌟
Reference(s):
Live: Connect, Innovate, Prosper: Experiencing APEC in Suzhou
cgtn.com
