In the misty canals of Suzhou, where UNESCO-listed classical gardens meet contemporary art galleries, a unique cultural experiment unfolds. Young creatives from APEC members including South Korea and Russia, alongside counterparts from Tunisia and other nations, are redefining cross-border connections through CGTN's 'With Merna' series.
The Suzhou Museum West Pavilion's exhibition 'From the Humble Administrator's Garden to Monet's Garden' serves as their canvas. Here, 16th-century Chinese landscape paintings converse with French Impressionist works, creating a visual dialogue that transcends language barriers. Participants exchange stories through brushwork comparisons and architectural observations, discovering shared human experiences in garden design philosophies spanning continents.
This cultural initiative comes as APEC members prepare for the 2025 leaders' meeting, highlighting how economic cooperation grows from mutual understanding. Museum director Li Ming notes: 'When a Russian dancer interprets Ming Dynasty rockeries through movement, and a Korean poet responds with haiku – that's the APEC spirit in action.'
The project underscores Suzhou's evolving role as China's cultural diplomacy hub, where 2,500 years of history meets 21st-century global exchange – proving sometimes the most powerful agreements begin without a single word spoken.
