Four digital creators share their insights on how online influence can translate into economic vitality in Wuxi on June 3. [Photo provided to en.wuxi.gov.cn]
Four digital creators, each a key to a different door of Wuxi's cultural landscape, gathered in the city on June 3 to discuss how online influence can translate into economic vitality.
At a roundtable themed "Internet Celebrities Explore Wuxi Culture", the group moved beyond cliches, showcasing how music, special effects, cross-Strait family warmth, and a foreign-born perspective are reshaping the city's image.
Musician Xiao Sita, known for his city anthem Wuxi, highlighted the direct economic impact of a hit song. "After writing Wuxi, fans told me they visited because of the song," he said, citing how Chengdu's tourism boomed following Zhao Lei's famous track. With Wuxi now titled a "World Music Capital", he sees concert tourism as a major economic driver.
Meanwhile, special effects creator Xie Tianyang, whose account Magic Laopi amasses over 10 million followers on social media platforms, bridges youth subculture with heritage. He argues that Huishan clay figures are essentially the original anime figurines. "We need co-branding with popular Chinese animated films to engage young people," he said, adding that AI now powers 80 percent of his post-production, slashing costs.
Taiwan creator Chen Xiaowen and Kazakh-born Yixing daughter-in-law Moisseyeva Natalya both emphasized authentic storytelling. Chen, whose grandmother was from Wuxi, plans to explore local dishes to enhance cultural kinship. Natalya, who promotes traditional Chinese medicine and even Chinese electric vehicles to Central Asia, advised, "Just share real life. Our family's genuine joy here is the best advertisement for Wuxi."
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