Luo Zhenyu takes the stage. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

On New Year's Eve, Luo Zhenyu delivered his highly anticipated "Friends of Time" New Year's speech at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium. Marking the 10th of his annual speeches, this was Luo's first time to host the event in Hangzhou.

The evening was infused with a significant dose of Hangzhou, as Luo repeatedly drew examples from the city to illustrate stories of modern development. The event attracted over 8,000 visitors and more than 20 million viewers online, all captivated by Hangzhou's warmth and dynamism.

Luo shared how Hangzhou's innovative services amazed him during his visits to prepare for the speech. One standout was the luggage service, where over 40 hotels in Hangzhou can deliver guests' luggage directly to their seats on high-speed trains. This ingenious convenience allows travelers to explore the city after they checkout without worrying about their bags.

Luo praised Hangzhou as a city thriving with "future industries". He spotlighted a local company, BrainCo, which uses brain-computer interface technology to create prosthetic hands controlled by thought. Being able to perform delicate tasks like calligraphy, playing piano, and even sensing touch gives life-changing solutions for people with disabilities.

Hangzhou's appeal to youth was another key theme. Luo shared the story of the "Qinghe Hostel" program, which offers free lodging for young jobseekers for up to seven days to ease the burden of finding work in a new city.

Luo highlighted the Hangzhou's efforts to become a "City of Events", with 2024 hosting 154 major concerts and festivals, as well as stars like Jay Chou and Jolin Tsai. These events drew over 2.39 million attendees and generated 1.96 billion yuan ($268.5 million) in ticket revenue, a year-on-year growth of 480.91 percent.

From cultural charm to technological innovation, Luo's speech painted a picture of Hangzhou as a city poised for a vibrant future. As he said, "Hangzhou isn't just growing; it's becoming a city that everyone loves."

The "Qinghe Hostel" program offers free lodging for young jobseekers for up to seven days. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]