Australian federal parliamentarian Louise Miller-Frost visits Nanyuan Garden in Taicang, Suzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

When Australian federal parliamentarian Louise Miller-Frost visited Taicang on July 6, her itinerary reflected a new trend in international exchanges with the city.

Alongside a visit to the historic Nanyuan Garden, she toured HymonBio and the Taicang Biomedical Industrial Park, highlighting how innovation and industry have become as compelling as culture in showcasing the city's global appeal.

For many years, overseas delegations visiting Suzhou often placed its renowned classical gardens at the center of their schedules. Today, however, advanced industrial parks, cutting-edge manufacturers and technology companies are increasingly becoming must-see destinations.

The shift was evident in late June, when Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger made a special detour from Shanghai to Taicang during her visit to China. Rather than sightseeing, she chose to visit two Austrian-invested manufacturers.

Ebner Industrial Furnaces Taicang. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Her visit underscored the close economic partnership between Austria and Taicang, which is now home to 49 Austrian enterprises spanning high-end equipment manufacturing, intelligent logistics, advanced materials and precision instruments.

Taicang's international connections extend well beyond Europe. On May 30, a delegation led by Evelyne Tchichelle, mayor of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo, focused its visit on the Taicang Port Area, where discussions centered on port development and waterfront industries.

Taicang's strong economic fundamentals underpin the growing interest from international visitors. The city has attracted more than 1,800 foreign-invested enterprises, with German companies forming one of the largest overseas business communities in China. Supported by Taicang Port, one of the country's leading river-sea ports, the city maintains trade links with more than 180 countries and regions worldwide.

A delegation led by Evelyne Tchichelle, mayor of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo, visits Taicang. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Taicang's openness has fostered a dynamic industrial ecosystem. The city is home to over 12,000 industrial enterprises, including more than 200 companies involved in the aerospace supply chain, over 700 biomedical firms and more than 1,400 national high-tech enterprises.

Yet Taicang's appeal is not defined by business alone. Many international visitors complement factory tours with visits to classical gardens, ancient towns and cultural heritage sites, experiencing the city's rich traditions alongside its modern industries.