In SIP, the effort to rebuild “proximity” is embedded in every detail of urban services. Here is an example: At 11 p.m., the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre remained bustling with people who just left a concert, while volunteer Lin patiently guided them to subway entrances and dedicated shuttle buses.

Similar meticulous services are found in multiple public scenarios across SIP: public security and urban management officers, clad in fluorescent vests, provide guidance outside football matches; and Suzhou Yangcheng Peninsula Theme Park offers a temperature-controlled summer retreat for families with kids.

These services exemplify a shift in public services from functional to emotional. When services transcend mere convenience and safety to address emotional needs, they genuinely acquire the power to strengthen human bonds.

This summer, SIP has demonstrated through the abovementioned practices that “proximity” can be rebuilt—not through declarations, but through countless moments of people willing to leave a light on for one another.