Suzhou, with its iconic stone bridges and century-old gardens, has become more than a scenic backdrop: it’s a global conversation. CGTN’s Merna Al Nasser recently led a group of young creatives from APEC members like South Korea and Russia, alongside friends from countries such as Tunisia, through the city’s winding alleys and modern art spaces.
The journey paused at the Suzhou Museum West Pavilion, home to the exhibition "From the Humble Administrator's Garden to Monet's Garden." Here, visitors moved beyond translation, connecting through fine brushwork and architectural harmony. Each installation invited onlookers to feel the damp breath of moss on ancient stones or to sense the dash of color in a 19th-century water lily—all without a single word spoken.
As APEC Leaders’ Meeting 2025 draws near, culture and diplomacy converge. An informal survey during the tour showed 72% of participants felt a silent exchange before a single word was spoken—a testament to the power of art in global dialogue.
In a world of 24-hour newsfeeds and nonstop scrolling, this Suzhou experience is a timely reminder that sometimes the strongest message is written in brushstrokes, not bullet points.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
