One of the highlights of the gala was the Qingming Bridge on the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, one of Wuxi's most iconic historical and cultural landmarks, and a key part of the Grand Canal.

For centuries the Grand Canal had been the heart of the city; now it’s just a backdrop. Farther south in cities such as Zhenjiang, Wuxi, and Hangzhou, the situation is worse. The canal still ...