If you have a chance to Wuxi, you must want to know about the three famous specialties of the city: clay figurines, wheat gluten and braised pork ribs with soybean sauce. Speaking of the pork ribs, there is a fairy tale about their origins. Once upon a time, Monk Jigong, known for his eccentric behavior but kind heart, came to Wuxi after hearing of its reputation. On a snowy New Year's Eve, Jigong, after enjoying the natural beauty of Wuxi, came to a restaurant famished.

He asked the restaurant owner if he could have some meat to eat. The generous man gave Jigong a big piece of meat for free. To thank for the restaurant owner's kindness, Jigong left him a few of leaf veins from his cattail leaf fan and told him to braise the meat with them. The puzzled man did as Jigong told him. It turned out the meat he cooked was so delicious that people living around all came for the savory dish. Since then, the braised pork ribs of Wuxi have enjoyed increasing popularity and the restaurant's business has boomed.

Nowadays, the best-known pork rib seller is San Feng Qiao Restaurant established in 1927. Famous for its lustrous color, savory and crispy taste and well selected spice mix, the pork ribs cooked at San Feng Qiao have been regarded as the best in Wuxi for decades.

With its products attracting more consumers from both home and abroad, San Feng Qiao has expanded from a delicacy store to a limited company that now owns 13 chain stores, restaurants and a food-processing factory. As the company's major product, the braised pork ribs seasoned with soybean sauce have also been put on the shelves of supermarkets across the country. Total sales now amount to 100 million yuan, or nearly 13 million US dollars, per year.

Now the small restaurant at the bank of the city moat has developed into a large hotel for dining, lodging, shopping and entertainment. The great success of Ju Fu Yuan is attributed to the working team who are always willing to take challenges and never fail in grasping opportunities. Tang Liangwei, manager of Ju Feng Yuan Hotel, talks about the opportunities they are enjoying at present.

The old enterprises with their new looks have become landmarks of the city and successful examples of sticking to business principles. As proprietary brands of national industry, they are at an advantage to be more competitive and influential on the international market. Huang Jianhua from the Wuxi Municipal Economic and Trade Commission says time-honoured brands are precious historic and cultural heritage and a backbone in developing the modern service industry.

"The old brands interact with the culture and the history of commercial industry in Wuxi. Since the beginning of 2007, we have undergone preparations to set up a committee for the rejuvenation of old enterprises. If it works well, old brands in Wuxi can revive and do their part in improving the people's livelihood, the development of the local economy and the establishment of a harmonious society."

The local government is creating favorable conditions to promote the development of these enterprises, including perfecting a manpower system and protecting cultural heritage and intellectual property rights. Recently, the government decided to revalue the old enterprises in the city. This decision drew public attention and has stirred up a discussion about the criteria of successful time-honored company.