Austrian parliamentary president explores different side of Taicang

Walter Rosenkranz, president of Austria's National Council, tries playing the zhongruan, a plucked instrument with similarities to the guitar, in Taicang, Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Walter Rosenkranz, president of Austria's National Council, visited Taicang on Sept 2, broadening the focus of Austria-Taicang exchanges from business and trade to culture, community services and rural vitalization.

Rosenkranz's first stop in Taicang was the Jiangnan Sizhu Museum, where he learned about the history of Jiangnan sizhu, a traditional ensemble music style from the region, and watched a live performance. A guitar enthusiast himself, Rosenkranz was particularly interested in the instruments used in the ensemble. He even picked up a zhongruan, a plucked instrument with similarities to the guitar, and tried playing it himself.

He also visited the Donglin Wanqing Neighborhood Service Center, one of Taicang's earliest day-care centers for elder residents. The center provides a wide range of services, including meals, rehabilitation, health guidance, recreational activities and emotional support.

Rosenkranz samples pastries at a village cafe in Taicang. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

In Wanfeng village, Rosenkranz walked along the country roads and spoke with residents, experiencing the slower pace of life in a traditional Jiangnan water town. At a village cafe, he sampled a selection of Chinese and Western-style pastries and praised the experience, saying it gave him a taste of home.

The visit reflected the growing breadth of exchanges between Taicang and Austria. Taicang is currently home to 49 Austrian-invested companies, with total investment reaching $192 million. Operating in sectors including machinery manufacturing, new materials and industrial services, these companies have become an important part of the city's international industrial landscape.