Luzhi, known as the “First Town of Water Villages in China,” is one of the city’s 16 demonstration sites for beautiful‑town development. It is currently accelerating industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural modernization as it embarks on a new phase of “second‑stage entrepreneurship and transformative innovation.” On the afternoon of August 30, Jiang Hongkun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, conducted an inspection and field visit to Luzhi Town. Accompanying him were Chen Zhenyi, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee; Wang Shaodong, Member of the Municipal Party Committee and Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee; Yu Xingnan, Secretary of the Wuzhong District Party Committee, along with other leading officials.

That day, Jiang Hongkun and his delegation visited the 3,500-mu aquatic vegetable base at Chenghu Agricultural Park and Liudaowan & (Suzhou) Hot Runner Systems Co., Ltd. They also conducted an on-site inspection of the protective restoration project for Shangtang Street and Xiatang Street in the eastern market area of Phase II of Luzhi Ancient Town, before presiding over a briefing symposium.

At the meeting, Lu Zhenhua, Secretary of the Luzhi Town Party Committee, first reported on the town’s efforts to adhere to three key guiding principles—planning-led development, industry-driven growth, and integrated urban–rural development—while building three major functional zones: the Ancient Town Area, the New Town Area, and the Chenghu Agricultural Park. He outlined the town’s comprehensive work to establish itself as a model area for beautiful-town construction, a demonstration zone for the protection and development of historic towns, an industrial cluster for mold and equipment manufacturing, and a distinctive hub for modern ecological agriculture. Meanwhile, Yu Xingnan, Secretary of the Wuzhong District Party Committee, presented an overview of the district’s economic and social development this year, the implementation of its “four-wheel drive” strategy and “four major sectors” framework, and progress in building beautiful towns and villages.

After hearing a briefing on the relevant situation, Jiang Hongkun stated that in recent years, Wuzhong District and Luzhi Town have pursued clear development strategies across economic and social fronts, demonstrated strong commitment in their work, and achieved notable results. Their key performance indicators consistently rank among the highest, contributing significantly to the city’s overall development and shouldering a substantial share of the responsibility. In recent years, Luzhi Town has steadily enhanced its distinctive character as a traditional water-town, seen its specialized industrial parks increasingly leverage their advantages, and witnessed continuous improvements in its level of development—exhibiting profound, rapid, and tangible progress. With regard to Luzhi’s next phase of development, Jiang Hongkun put forward three key requirements.

I. Safeguard the ecological environment and highlight the distinctive charm of the Jiangnan water towns. We must protect our limited, precious arable land and comprehensively and effectively implement the “Four Million Mu” initiative. Building on this year’s initial progress in mapping and site‑specific planning, we will refine spatial layouts, link and consolidate contiguous areas, and emphasize both the natural ecological setting and the traditional aesthetic of the Jiangnan waterways, thereby fostering people‑centered, harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

II. Continuously elevate the industrial structure and refine and specialize our competitive industries. Agriculture is a foundational sector; in optimizing the industrial mix, we must advance modern agriculture by improving the agricultural service system, raising the level of agricultural science and technology, and highlighting agriculture’s distinctive strengths. We will prioritize the development of advanced manufacturing, focusing on the established mold‑making and equipment‑technology industries, while accelerating the attraction and cultivation of emerging and technology‑driven enterprises to foster agglomeration‑based growth. Furthermore, we will concentrate on developing the tourism and cultural industries, strengthening the Luozhi Ancient Town brand, pursuing distinctive approaches to tourism and cultural‑industry development, and driving overall transformation and upgrading.

III. Seizing the opportunity presented by the construction of beautiful towns and villages, we will intensify efforts to protect historic towns and improve the environment. Through this initiative and by upgrading village‑level environmental improvements, we will optimize urban–rural spatial planning, restore traditional architectural forms and landscapes, and provide residents with a comfortable, livable environment. To foster a green ecological environment, we will carry out river dredging, demolish illegal structures and rectify disorderly conditions, implement greening projects, and establish long‑term management mechanisms. As for Luzhi Ancient Town, we will tap into its cultural heritage, strengthen conservation and restoration, and enhance and refine its overall development. We will also advance the “three‑concentrations” policy and promote large‑scale shareholding cooperatives, thereby developing cooperative economies at the town and village levels and ensuring the sustained growth of the rural economy.