The "Maritime Silk Road" media group arrived in Guangzhou on November 30 where international journalists had a glimpse into how this ancient port city—once China's sole gateway for foreign trade—is reclaiming its historical significance through modern innovation.
Organized by South, the delegation of reporters from 11 countries discovered a city where cutting-edge technology coexists with deeply rooted cultural traditions, creating a unique blend of past and future along the modern Silk Road.
At XAG's demonstration farm, the future of agriculture unfolds through AI-powered drones that execute precision spraying and smart fertilization with mathematical exactness. The scene contrasted sharply with the traditional methods still prevalent in many developing nations. "Back in Fiji, we're still using conventional irrigation and fertilization techniques," noted Beranadeta Maitoga Nagatalevu of the Fiji Sun. "What we're witnessing here represents such a tremendous leap forward—this is exactly the kind of knowledge transfer that could revolutionize farming back home."
Perhaps the most striking example of Guangzhou's urban innovation is the Guangzhou Powerbox™ Science Center, a substation reimagined as a "Moon Box" that combines utility with aesthetic appeal. This facility represents a radical departure from conventional infrastructure design, transforming what is typically an eyesore into a community hub featuring public art and educational spaces.
Himanshu Bhatt Arunkumar from Malaysia's The Sun observed, "Normally we treat utility infrastructure as separate from daily life—functional but isolated. This project beautifully demonstrates how essential services can be integrated into the urban fabric, creating spaces that are both useful and beautiful."
The historical context for Guangzhou's global connections was illuminated at the Guangdong Museum's "Shared Prosperity: A Millennium of Guangdong's Foreign Trade" exhibition. Among the artifacts tracing centuries of commercial exchange, one piece particularly captured the imagination of visitors: a ceramic work blending Chinese white clay with Middle Eastern cobalt blue. "This object literally embodies two cultures fused into one beautiful form," remarked Loretta Brigidia Manele from the Island Sun.
The human dimension of these international connections was underscored by Loretta, who noted the deep roots of the Chinese diaspora in her country. "We've had Chinese communities since before formal diplomatic relations—we now have third-generation Chinese who consider themselves indigenous Solomon Islanders," she shared.
This long-standing people-to-people exchange forms the foundation for expanding cooperation. "It's crucial that we build on these relationships beyond mere trade," she emphasized, "whether through cultural understanding, agricultural technology, or educational exchange—the potential for mutual benefit is enormous."
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Photo: Pan Jiajun
Editor: Yuan Zixiang, Ou Xiaoming, James Campion, Shen He
