Austria's parliament president visits Taicang

A delegation led by Walter Rosenkranz, Austria's parliament president, visited Taicang, Suzhou on Wednesday.

At Jiangnan Sizhu Museum, the group listened to a performance by a local ensemble and learned about efforts to preserve and innovate Jiangnan sizhu, a style of traditional Chinese instrumental music from south of the Yangtze River.

At a neighborhood service center in Donglin Village, the delegation was introduced to the city's diverse eldercare services and the development of its eldercare system. Rosenkranz personally experienced traditional Chinese diagnostic methods involving observation, listening, smell and touch.

In Wanfeng Village, the delegation visited Mitang, a cafe run by Zhang Jinting, a young woman born after 2005 who returned to her hometown after graduation to start a business.

Converted from a farmhouse, the cafe retains the charm of rural life while bringing a fresh sense of vitality. "The environment is excellent. It feels like home," Rosenkranz said.

Rosenkranz asked Zhang about her entrepreneurial experience and her plans for the future. After learning that she wants to build a personal brand and use the cafe to encourage more young people to return to their hometowns and contribute to rural revitalization, Rosenkranz highly praised the spirit: "The younger generation always has fresh ideas. They are full of creativity." As he prepared to leave, Rosenkranz handed Zhang a pen and said, "I hope you'll have a chance to visit Austria someday."