President Xi plays key role in transforming Wuzhen into smart city

Scenery of Wuzhen. [Photo by Geng Feifei/China Daily]

Xi pointed out tourism is Wuzhen's way-out that requires government to protect this old town as its historical heritage. Also, Xi Jinping promoted cultural development when he visited Wuzhen in 2004.

According to Chen, Xi Jinping came to Wuzhen in the sizzling August of 2005 and did research on construction and sources of funding.

Xi affirmed the idea and encouraged Chen to overcome the challenges and stick to the concept of developing tourism by protecting the historical heritage in Wuzhen.

Chen said the town wouldn't have succeeded in transforming itself this smoothly without Xi's vision and ideas.

The balance among economic development, environment and historical culture protection is crucial to the town, Xi stressed.

Years later, in 2007, Wuzhen is officially open to the public as a scenic spot for travel, vacation and business conferences.

In 2013, Wuzhen Grand Theater has been built with expenditure of 40 million yuan as a cultural landmark in Wuzhen.

The theater holds Wuzhen International Theatre Festival three times in consecutive years where 750,000 people come to watch over 40 plays in total.

The fast development and the reviving transition of Wuzhen, is a play the town dedicate to the world.