President Xi plays key role in transforming Wuzhen into smart city

A puppeteer participates in a performance by Les Grandes Personnes, an artistic group from France, in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, Oct 15, 2015. [Photo/CFP]

Wuzhen is about to welcome more than 2,000 guests from all over the world attending the 2nd World Internet Conference from Dec 16 to 18.

As a small town, the internet development in Wuzhen is obviously advanced.

Full coverage WiFi, QR code, mobile online payment method and internet hospital are not just popular concept but practiced in locals' daily life.

While becoming a smart city, Wuzhen hasn't lost its unique traditional culture that history left. Vintage architecture, bridges and watery scenery are well protected and attracting tourists around the world.

Wuzhen is the last town to have its own road to other cities in Tongxiang city. In 1990s, the town is burdened with many lay-offs since factories are closed down.

At then, the town was struggling and needed a solution.

President Xi Jinping, who was secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPC back then, visited Wuzhen five times in six years to do field research on its development.

Chen Xianghong, then chief of the management committee of Wuzhen protection and tourism development faced a huge challenge then, as many people believed Wuzhen's historical heritage was obsolete and didn't need protecting.

Wuzhen also suffered from a lack of funds for the project, a further obstacle in promoting it as a tourism town.