As part of the 2025 (17th) Suzhou International Elite Entrepreneurship Week – SND (Suzhou New District) sub-event series, the special event "Night at the Museum" was held on the evenings of July 9 and 11 at the West Pavilion of Suzhou Museum. Over 100 distinguished guests, including academicians, professors, and elite entrepreneurship participants from China and abroad, attended the gathering. District leader Yu Meihua was also present.
Located in the heart of the Shishan Cultural Plaza, the West Pavilion of Suzhou Museum is a cultural gem of the city. The plaza integrates the rich heritage of Suzhou Museum West, the artistic atmosphere of Suzhou Shishan Grand Theatre, and the cutting-edge innovation showcased in the Suzhou Science and Technology Museum—creating a unique urban cultural space that blends tradition, art, and technology.
Among the esteemed guests was Professor Jing Xudong, a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) and a faculty member at Nanjing University Suzhou Campus. He was recently honored as a 2025 Top Talent of Suzhou. An internationally recognized expert in oil & gas development and low-carbon energy, Prof. Jing has made significant contributions to carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and enhanced oil recovery with a low-carbon approach. During the event, he shared his research journey and future plans:
"My team will focus on the entire CCUS chain—from capture to storage and monitoring—and deepen collaboration with domestic and international enterprises to advance low-carbon energy technologies."
The event also featured Yao Jianping, a national-level inheritor of Suzhou embroidery (Su Xiu), who showcased exquisite works and shared insights into the craft's tradition and innovation. Guests toured the museum exhibits, immersing themselves in Suzhou’s cultural charm.
"Here, I can almost hear echoes of history and feel the pulse of culture," said Prof. Yin Yuanyuan from Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton.
In a delightful coincidence, Li Peng, founder of Suzhou Weimu Intelligent Systems Co., Ltd., reunited with his old friend Prof. Shen Yaochun—both former classmates at the University of Cambridge 20 years ago. Prof. Shen, now at the University of Liverpool, remarked:
"Walking through this museum gave me a true sense of Suzhou's profound cultural legacy."
Li Peng echoed his admiration: "Suzhou is undoubtedly the strongest prefecture-level city in China, and SND boasts an exceptional innovation environment."
The evening blended the sparks of science with the glow of culture, illuminating the path to innovation and growth. Looking ahead, Suzhou New District will continue to attract visionary talents from around the world—those driven by dreams and passion—to shape the next chapter of excellence together.
