This Week in WND (2026/10/25-2026/10/31)

An agreement for a new headquarters project by Jiangsu Helplifes, focusing on next-generation precision probiotics and microbiome-based functional medicine, was signed on Oct 25 in WND. Leveraging the Wuxi Institute of Special Food and Nutrition Health's expertise in probiotic function regulation, strain development and pilot-scale testing, the project will bring high-quality microbiome products and solutions to market. It will also strengthen WND's specialty food industry chain and deepen industry-university collaboration.

German technology group Muhlbauer has plans to expand its operations in WND. During a visit on Oct 27, CEO Stefan Mühlbauer and his delegation discussed a precision machining expansion project for Muhlbauer Technologies Wuxi, the group's only manufacturing and service center in China. The investment will enable the company to produce more key components in-house, strengthen local supply chains and support its broader expansion across Asia.

WND officials visited key AI companies in the district on Oct 27 to learn about their R&D progress, business plans and development needs. They encouraged companies to step up efforts to develop core technologies such as computing power and perception, explore new markets and real-world applications, and make use of domestic and international resources and investment to strengthen industrial collaboration.

WND unveiled its 2026-30 action plan for young officials on Oct 29, alongside a showcase of their research and fieldwork. The initiative encourages young officials to study emerging challenges and develop practical solutions in areas such as economic and financial development, industrial upgrading, reform and improvements to people's livelihoods.

WND officials visited Taihu New City Group on Oct 28 for a review of its operations, followed by an on-site meeting to hear about the group's performance in the first three quarters of 2026 and its plans for next year. The meeting also addressed specific challenges facing the company and explored ways to resolve them.

WND hosted the 2026 Industrial Energy Efficiency Conference on Oct 24. Bringing together representatives from government, industry, academia and research, the event explored how AI and digital technologies can improve industrial energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions more quickly and support the development of zero-carbon industrial parks.

WND used the 140th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou from Oct 15 to 19 to pursue new investment opportunities, connecting with more than 80 domestic and international companies and discussing several prospective partnerships. The district organized investment promotion teams to turn its exhibition area — featuring 47 companies across 90 booths — into a platform for showcasing WND's manufacturing capabilities and attracting investment.

The Publicity Department of the CPC Xinwu District Committee took part in a digital culture industry matchmaking event in Hangzhou on Oct 21-22. During a visit to Be Friends Holding, the department signed a 100-million-yuan ($15.02 million) agreement with the company to establish its Jiangsu Live-Commerce Operations Center. The project will support the development of WND's digital economy and cultural industries.

A new handheld device developed by WND-based Hisky Medical, known as PockeTouch, has received market approval, bringing liver health screening closer to patients. About the size of a TV remote and as light as a smartphone, the device can quickly assess liver health non-invasively. After 16 years of research and development, the company has turned advanced laboratory technology into a compact clinical tool.

Three teams from WND have been named National Youth Model Units in the 22nd national selection: the Xinwu District Government Service Center, the Young Pioneers for Key Project Delivery team, and Wuxi Software Industry Development.

Fifty WND companies appeared on Jiangsu's 2026 green factory candidate list, up from 35 in 2025 and the highest number among all districts and cities in Wuxi. The increase reflects the effectiveness of WND's approach to green manufacturing, which combines support for businesses, targeted policy assistance and the promotion of industry leaders.

Three companies from WND have been named in Jiangsu's 2026 selection of exemplary real-world AI applications. The selected companies are CCTV International Network Wuxi, Cloud Factory Technology and CHISCDC Software Technology, showcasing the district's growing range of AI applications across industries.

Zhilian Wangpin, a WND-based company, has secured Wuxi's first-ever national award in the Data Factor × Competition. The company won third prize in the human resources category with its AI Easy Interview project, which uses multimodal data integration to improve interview assessments through talent evaluation datasets. The national finals and awards ceremony took place in Qingdao, Shandong, on Oct 23.

WND leads Wuxi in the number of products recognized on China's 2025 patent-intensive product list, with 32 products from local companies making the list, according to the Patent Protection Association of China.

A traditional Chinese ink painting by Li Jiao, a young artist from #WND, has been added to the Lahore Museum's permanent collection in Pakistan. Titled Flower Shadows · Curtain, the work brings traditional Chinese aesthetics to an international audience, showcasing the creativity of China's younger generation of artists. The work was first exhibited at a Chinese cultural exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.

The Jiangsu City Amateur Tennis Open, also known as the 2026 Wuxi Cup Open Amateur Tournament, is taking place at the Wuxi International Tennis Center on Oct 31-Nov 1. After hosting the Wuxi Cup for two consecutive years, the venue is welcoming an even bigger stage this year, with the tournament expanding into a provincial-level city competition featuring 128 singles entries and 64 doubles entries.

Autumn has turned WND into a sea of pink muhly grass, which is now in full bloom across Gonghu Bay Wetland Park, Lide Road, Huihai Bay Ecological Park and Daxigang Wetland Park. Delicate plumes sway in the breeze, creating dreamy pink waves as far as the eye can see. Soak up the sunshine and capture a little autumn magic!