As a Suzhou local, my earliest memory was ditched to the city's water. At dawn, I held grandma's hand to the river bank. She washed the vegetables where I chased the fish under the bridge. This is Suzhou's water, not just scenery, but the warm thread of our daily life, weaving through generations of local customs.

Today, through the lens of water, I want to share with you a story of how a civilization can cherish its past while embracing the future. This is not just Suzhou story, it is a tale of harmony, progress and connection, reflecting the wisdom of China. In ancient times, the Grand Canal carried boat full of bountiful harvests and agricultural goods making the city the land of fish and rice People washed clothes along the banks traveled by boat and built their homes close to the water Water was about the basic necessities of life.

In fact, the Asian people never sought to conquer the water. Instead, they learned to adapt to it and survived with it. Thus, the water reflected more than just material abundance, it mirrored the ancient Chinese philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature, a principle that guided every aspect of life. As time flowed down, the Grand Canal took on a new role.

It began carrying industrial goods and construction materials. The water that once fed us helped build a modern city. Water was about economic growth and the city development By endowing the Asian Canal with a new industrial purpose Suzhou optimized its existing infrastructure and achieved sustainable development This embodied the Chinese wisdom of adapting with the times of moving forward without severing the roots to tradition Today, this ever-flowing water is writing new chapters.

At sunset, I joined friends on Dushu Lake to go paddle boarding. The very water that once carried our ancestors now carries the laughter of young people. This transformation was vividly showcased when athletes from across Asia gathered to take part in the SUP Asian Cup. They competed with passion on the historic canal.

Their vibrant energy expressing a sheer passion for dynamic and healthy life. Now, water is about wellness, deep human connection and the pure joy of living. This ancient waterway which once connected North and South China has now evolved into a bridge linking different civilizations and fostering people connections So Suzhou water isn stuck in the past It a continuous flow that connects our traditions to the present and the future. I'm proud to share this story because it's not just about Suzhou but about the enduring Chinese wisdom living harmony with nature adapting with the times while preserving our essence and being open and inclusive to foster a shared future for

all as a vocational student majoring tourism my dream and the mission is to become an ambassador of Suzhou's water culture and I'm going to become a bridge between these flowing waters and the world using my professionalism and passion to convey this flowing heritage and profound Chinese wisdom to the world.