A voice known for speaking plainly

At 78, Tan remains one of Singapore's most recognizable public personalities. A former CEO of Singapore insurer NTUC Income, he later became widely known for his presidential campaigns in 2011 and 2023, where he built a reputation for speaking candidly and championing ordinary citizens.

That same openness defines his online presence today. Throughout his Wuxi trip, he shared observations both large and small: the lively dining atmosphere around the Hubin Commercial Street, the thoughtful hotel design that included uninterrupted power supply sockets, and even the affordability of direct flights between Wuxi and Singapore.

Ordinarily, travel posts follow the familiar rhythm of social media —noticed for a moment, then quickly forgotten.

But this time, something different happened.